Saturdays are special for Oklahomans. It represents an end to a workweek, relaxation and putting on their favorite football team’s colors to cheer them to victory. For some, those colors are black and orange, but every time Grayson Miller takes the field he is surrounded by a sea of crimson and cream.

Before his career with the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners began, Miller played soccer for Lubbock Christian University on a team comprised of players from all over the world. He felt though as if he was being called out of soccer and into football. Following this calling, Miller sent film of his time playing football in high school to recruiters. The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) offered him a spot on the football team which Miller accepted and played on for two years before walking on at OU in early 2025. Since then, Miller has punted more than 2,700 yards with an average of 45.85 yards per game.

Miller didn’t just use this time for his personal gain, though. While at UCO, he actively engaged his teammates with the Gospel and even led some to Christ.

“I got to see God work in a lot of my teammates’ lives,” he said. “I got to see five or six of them come to know God. We got to pass out Bibles in the locker room. It was really cool; we got to see God do a lot of things.”

The past year has been both a time of spiritual and physical growth for Miller, but started out rough.

“We started doing spring ball, and I was doing terrible,” Miller said. “In my exit interviews, (Brent) Venables pretty much told me I almost got cut. He told me, ‘I didn’t cut you for a reason, go prove me right.’”

Miller continued to push himself and work hard to get better, but nothing he was doing was working for him. He became frustrated and began to question why he was at OU. God told Miller to rewatch old film from his time at UCO, which he did.

“I went home and watched some UCO film and realized my technique had completely changed,” Miller said. “When I was at UCO, I asked God to be my kicking coach. When I got to OU, I stopped saying that prayer. I learned that night that I should probably bring that back.”

Three weeks later, Miller’s skills had improved greatly. He remained faithful to the Lord, and, in return, God gave him the skills he needed to succeed.

“The Lord just took care of me, I was seeking Him every single week, and He was doing crazy things left and right,” said Miller, who was named First-Team All-SEC and twice won SEC Special Teams Player of the Week during the season.

When Miller struggled during the recent OU playoff game, Miller looked to the Lord and to his family and friends for strength. Despite the challenges, he has kept his head high and focused on God. “I serve a God who is a Great Redeemer, and I still have one more season to go,” Miller said.

Miller, who is an active member at OKC, Quail Springs, knows that through the ups and down of sports — and in life Jesus is the source of his stability, hope and peace.

To listen to a full podcast interview with Miller, visit baptistmessenger.com/podcast.