Former Mid-Prairie football player Tanner Miller is interviewed at Hawkeye media day.

On September 1, black and gold uniforms will charge out of the gate onto Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Bears.

Though this won’t be a home stand, it will feature one of Southeast Iowa’s own. Defensive back Tanner Miller.

Miller who saw action in all 13 games that the Hawkeyes played last year had 76 tackles and 3 interceptions for a total of 114 yards.

This year he is looked at as a junior leader, said new defensive coordinator and former defensive backs coach Phil Parker.

“He shows great leadership with Micha Hyde,” Parker said. “Miller has some good toughness and has gotten bigger and stronger and understands the game. He can see and diagnose plays better than he did a year ago.”

Miller is picked as a preseason fourth team all-Big Ten defensive back by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview.

Through his years at Iowa Miller says he still likes the support he gets from his home town area.

“That was a big deal for people down there in Kalona. Having the community being me, all of my family and friends are down there, it means a lot to me and gives me some motivation too,” Miller said. “It’s a once in a life time thing for them to have a kid from a small school like that to go to a big time program like Iowa, it means a lot to me, and I can’t thank them enough for all of the support they’ve given me the last three years.”

Miller is a probable pick for one of the starting defensive backs this year, and will play along side Micha Hyde, who is on the watch list for two defensive player of the year awards.

The first time you can see Miller at Kinnick Stadium will be at the Iowa, Iowa State game on September 8th.