Not only did COVID-19 prevent four-star wide receiver Cameron Miller from having a junior season of high school football, but it’s also slowed down his recruitment as the summer prior to his senior season is now just right around the corner. Miller doesn’t plan on making a decision in the near future as a result of not being able to visit schools.

“Being able to take visits are going to be really important because it’s something I want to embrace and it have an impact on my decision,” Miller told Volquest on Monday night. “I want to make sure it’s the right place for me and that it fits me. That’s just something I look at because I know when I make that decision, I’ve got to stick with it. It’s really important to me.

“At this point I’m just still going through the recruitment process since I didn’t get to play last season. So, I’m just trying to take my time and make the right choice with the school I’m going to continue at.”

Miller identified “Tennessee, Alabama and Ole Miss” as the schools currently recruiting him the hardest. In regards to the Vols, the 6-foot-1 prospect out of Memphis Academy in west Tennessee has become close with first-year head coach Josh Heupel. Miller and Heupel speak at least twice a week.

“Coach Heupel and I are pretty close,” Miller said. “He explains to me the goals for this season and his goal to get me up on Rocky Top. He just explains the new system he’s bringing to Tennessee and he wants me to be a part of it to win games.

“I speak with Coach Heupel the most. He’s always hitting me up asking me what I’m doing. Coach (Kodi) Burns is right behind him and then you got Coach (Jerry) Mack. They’re all cool guys to talk to. I can tell them anything and they can be real with me.”

The Miller family has known Mack — Tennessee’s new running backs coach — for quite some time now. While Mack was Memphis’ wide receivers coach in 2011, he recruited Miller’s oldest brother. Miller’s father is his high school school coach and has always been familiar with Mack within the coaching profession.

“Coach Mack is a cool guy,” Miller said. “He just keeps it real and tells you what he expects, what is expected up on Rocky Top and how much of a priority I can be up there.”

Burns — the Vols’ new wide receivers coach — is also playing a key role in Miller’s recruitment, selling him on the receivers that he has put in the league, as well as the excitement of Heupel’s offense and how he would be used if he were to choose the Vols.

Tennessee likes Miller’s aggression between the lines, as well as his ability to pick up yards after the catch. Miller is ranked as the No. 9 overall player in the state of Tennessee according to Rivals’ recruiting rankings.

“It’s going to be a fun, exciting offense because he just wants the best and to score at all costs,” Miller said. “He’s (Heupel) just trying to be aggressive and create one-on-one plays for receivers. And he wants to run the ball and go downhill right at you. It’s just exciting looking at his offense and his history. Just being really balanced and aggressive in order to win games.

“I can play in the slot or on the outside. So, just trying to create one-on-one matchups for me. If I’ve got a one-on-one with a guy who can’t guard me, they’re going to throw me the football to where I can make a play. Just putting the ball up to where I do what I do to make a play.”

Miller hasn’t begun to set up visits, though he intends to begin doing so soon and is confident that the Crimson Tide and the Vols will each receive a visit. He released a top six of Alabama, Auburn, Memphis, Ole Miss, Oregon and Tennessee on Jan. 4, but admitted that a lot has changed for him since then and that right now, there’s not a firm top six. Miller is content on evaluating all options and going through the process at his own pace.

When it does come time to make a decision, trust in a coaching staff will be a key factor in which school he chooses.

“Having trust in me and my game,” Miller said. “Just a good program with coaches who love you for you, love my game and will take care of me on and off the field.”