2017 Best Football Players in the MAC: #20 Scott Miller, WR, Bowling Green

Don't be deceived by Scott Miller's size.

The junior receiver is only 5-feet-10-inches tall and 160 pounds, but the First-Team All-MAC honoree belongs in the conversation for best receiver in the conference.

Miller was a bright spot in an otherwise bitter season for the Bowling Green Falcons. The speedster, possession receiver accumulated 968 receiving yards on 74 receptions over the course of the 2016 season. A solid route runner, Miller added an impressive 10 touchdowns to that mark — good for fourth in the conference. In fact, Miller was the focal point of Bowling Green's offense. He scored over half of the team's touchdown passes in 2016.

During Bowling Green's only win in its first nine contests, Miller played the role of the hero. The then-sophomore standout found the end zone three times during the afternoon to boost Bowling Green over FCS foe North Dakota 27-26. He also tallied 161 yards on the day — one of four times he surpassed the 140-yard receiving mark in 2016.

Another one of Miller's stellar performances occurred in a narrow loss to 2017 MAC favorite and archrival Toledo. Once again, the 5-foot-10 receiver scored three times, complemented with eight catches and 149 yards in the box score.

But his career-highs in catches and yards occurred against Miami OH on October 22. Miller finished with 11 catches, 178 yards, and two touchdowns in a loss to the RedHawks. Despite all of the production last season, Miller may have to carry even more of a load.

The Falcons will be without wideout Ronnie Moore, a solid contributor for Bowling Green from 2013-16 — an integral part of two MAC championship rosters. Senior Teo Redding (423 yards and three touchdowns in 2016) will be the primary receiver lining up opposite side of Miller. Oregon State transfer Datrin Guyton should also receive plenty of repetitions alongside Miller at receiver. With a year of film on Miller, opposing secondaries should enter gamedays prepared to counter him with their fastest shutdown corner.

The star wideout can line up in a variety of areas. Bowling Green even utilized him as an "option" receiver last year, sending him in motion for short pitches and laterals. But the offensive side of the ball isn't the only area where Miller contributes on the field.

The Illinois-native thrived as the team's kick returner over the last two seasons. While he has yet to take one all the way for six, he has garnered 793 kick return yards in his last two seasons on 43 attempts. Miller, who only returned three punts last season, may be expected to fulfill a larger role as the team's punt returner. Bowling Green may use the junior as a playmaker on offense and special teams, similar to how North Carolina used Ryan Switzer during his four-year collegiate career.

For 2017, expect Miller to post a 1,000-yard season. Bowling Green's offense should cement together quickly this year with Mike Jinks entering his second year as head coach and James Morgan returning as the team's starting quarterback. Morgan, Miller's college roommate, showed promise at the quarterback position and should improve with a year of experience under his belt. His development has the potential to mold Miller into one of the nation's elite possession receivers.