CEDAR CITY, Utah, April 27 ? Two former Southern Utah football players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams Sunday following the league's annual draft. Wide receiver Nick Miller and cornerback DeWayne Lewis signed with the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively.
    Miller, who was named the Great West Conference's special teams player of the year in 2008, was contacted by the Raiders shortly after the conclusion of the draft. He said that he and his agent negotiated a contract that included a signing bonus. Lewis was also contacted Sunday evening and worked out the details of his contract through his agent.
    A transfer from Scottsdale CC, Miller (Scottsdale, Ariz.) led the nation (FCS) in all-purpose yards in 2008. He holds the SUU records for single-game, single-season and career kickoff return yards and is second on the SUU single-season and career punt return lists. Last year he returned 49 kickoffs for 993 yards, breaking his own record of 914 yards on 41 returns he set in 2007. He also returned 24 punts a total of 384 yards in 2008 and ended his career with 559 yards on 43 returns. As a receiver, Miller caught 55 passes for 763 yards and three TDs in 2008, following his 2007 season when he caught 35 passes for 433 yards and a score.
    Lewis (Denver. Colo.) transferred to SUU from Michigan State and played three seasons of football for the Thunderbirds as well as competing in track two seasons. He tallied 51 tackles, with two sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception as a junior in 2007, when he led SUU's cornerbacks in tackles. Last year, under a new system, he finished the season with 35 tackles with another interception and four passes broken up. As a member of the Thunderbird track team he competed at the NCAA championships in the sprints in 2007.
    Both players came to the attention of NFL scouts when they participated in BYU's pro day in March. Both ran sub-4.3 40-yard dashes at BYU.
    “I'm excited, it's a dream come true for me,” Miller said of the Raider offer. “The Raiders love speed, they don't care about size as much as speed. They like to throw the ball and stretch the field, which is perfect for me since those are my biggest strengths: my speed and my ability to get down the field.    “I still have to go try out and make the team, but this is the first step,” he added.
    “This is a great opportunity for me,” Lewis said. “I'm going to take this blessing and do what I can to make the best of it. The Jaguars love speed and they gave me an opportunity. Now I'm trying to get mentally read for camp that starts later this week.”
    Lewis will report to Jaguar mini-camp Thursday, while Miller's camp at Oakland begins May 6.

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