Undrafted safety Wes Miller (Memorial High, UTEP) gets a shot with Buffalo Bills

Wes Miller did not get upset when the undrafted free agent signing process came and went.

The former Memorial High standout had a feeling he would get an opportunity somewhere in the NFL — and he had faced challenges before, going from walk-on at UTEP to defensive captain his senior season last fall.

With a recommendation from Miners coach Sean Kugler, the Bills called Miller on May 4 and invited him to work out with the team during its rookie mini camp. Kugler was on the Buffalo staff from 2007-09.

“I was extremely excited for the opportunity and anxious to prove myself,” Miller said. “I was hoping for someone to give me a chance.”

The Bills liked what they saw and signed Miller to a contract, making him the team’s seventh safety as the team goes through its Organized Team Activities this week.

“I couldn’t be more grateful,” Miller said. “Now is the time to make the most of the opportunity they have given me.”

At rookie mini camp, Miller said he wanted to prove that “I could play at the next level” but said he understands there is a long way to go to achieve that goal.

Most safeties in the NFL are around 6-foot-1 — Miller is 5-foot-9, but that’s also led to some comparisons to former NFL player Jim Leonhard, who played 12 seasons before retiring at the end of the 2014 season.

Leonhard played for Bills head coach Rex Ryan while with the New York Jets.

“He looks like Jim Leonhard,” Ryan said of Miller. “If he’s half the player, we’ll sign him as well. He does have some of the same characteristics as Jim: smart and sharp.”

Miller as a UTEP senior started all 13 games and led the Miners in tackles (80), solo stops (48) and interceptions (two) while tying for second with seven pass breakups and registering a fumble recovery.

He matched his career high in tackles (11) and had an interception against Middle Tennessee, which helped UTEP secure a bowl bid and earned him Conference USA athlete of the week honors. He also was a Capital One Academic All-America second-team selection.

Miller is trying to duplicate what receiver Caleb Holley did last season with the Bills. He was a tryout player who was signed to the practice squad after training camp then re-signed this offseason.

The journey for Miller continues with OTAs.

“All the rookies have to prove themselves at this point and it will be challenging for all of us,” Miller said. “A challenge is another word for an opportunity. I am looking forward to working with the veterans.”

This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 5:46 PM with the headline "Undrafted safety Wes Miller (Memorial High, UTEP) gets a shot with Buffalo Bills."