Junior linebacker Marc Millan could eclipse his idols season high in tackles with a few more games like the one he had against Arkansas State.
Marc Millan, an Orange County, California, native, grew up a 45-minute drive from Qualcomm Stadium — home of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers and the Vandals’ next opponent, San Diego State.
“Yeah, that’s going to be pretty cool,” the junior linebacker said. “I’m pretty excited. I’m going to have a lot of people at that game.”
One might think Millan grew up a die-hard Chargers fan, but that’s not the case.
“No, I was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan,” he said.
With a rich history and an impressive collection of linebackers who have donned the black and gold, it’s easy to see why Millan was attracted to the team.
The Steelers boast a long list of great linebackers — Joey Porter, Lamar Woodley, Jason Gildon and James Farrior, just to name a few. But Millan’s favorite?
“Definitely James Harrison,” he said. “Just the tenacity and nastiness that he plays with, that’s what I try to bring everyday.”
The 6-foot, 240-pound Harrison is currently in his 11th season in the NFL, and has played all but one season with Pittsburgh (in 2013 Harrison was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals). The 36-year-old has won two Super Bowls and has been named to five Pro Bowl teams.
Millan said he was drawn to Harrison the moment he became a Steeler in 2002.
“Once James Harrison got to the Steelers I said ‘I’ve never seen anyone play like that,’ ” Millan said. “He’s kind of an undersized guy and just the process that he went through in the NFL — undrafted free agent coming out of Kent State … he got cut a bunch of times, so just the route he had to go through wasn’t the easy way and he’s played really well.”
After posting 18 tackles and one sack last Saturday against Arkansas State, Millan’s play resembled that of his idol.
Through eight games, Millan leads the team in tackles — and by a lot. With 77 tackles, Millan is 28 ahead of the next closest player, senior defensive lineman Quayshawne Buckley with 49.
Millan’s total has already eclipsed his idol’s NFL season high in tackles. Harrison accumulated 76 during the 2007 season with the Steelers. But at Kent State, Harrison’s season high was 106 in 2000 and 98 in 2001. With three games left, those totals are still in reach for Millan if he can repeat the performance he had against ASU.
While he’s enjoyed his fair share of good games this season, Millan said the Arkansas State game was his best to date.
“Hopefully I can get a bunch more of those,” he said. “I feel like I’m having a little more pep in my step everyday now after that … I just really want to get a win. I feel like if I can play to that standard every game, it gives our team a better chance to win.”
Millan’s teammate, junior defensive end Quinton Bradley, has a bone to pick with the linebacker after his impressive game, though.
“I know he took one of my sacks,” Bradley said with a laugh. “I thought he had the regular like 10 (tackles), but 18 is crazy. I’m really proud of him.”
Linebackers coach Eric Brown was pleased with Millan’s performance, but wants him to repeat it Saturday against San Diego State.
“That’s the best I’ve seen him play,” Brown said. “He’s been as locked in as I’ve seen him. He’s been a guy that’s starting to come into his own.”
Korbin McDonald can be reached at [email protected]