Keith Miller III, who played two seasons at Colorado and the past two years at Texas A&M-Commerce died in his apartment near the TAMUC campus on Thursday night.
A receiver from The Colony, Texas, Miller, 22, played at CU in 2020 and 2021. He did not appear in any games before transferring to TAMUC, but left his mark on his teammates and coaches from his two years in Boulder.
“As coaches we are so focused on wins and losses that we sometimes forget to check on our former players!” former CU player and assistant coach Darrin Chiaverini wrote on social media. “We lost a great young man today in Keith Miller!”
Chiaverini, now the head coach at Northeastern State University, recruited Miller out of The Colony.
Several of Miller’s former fellow student-athletes with the Buffs also took to social media to express their condolences.
“Greatest guy and life of the room,” former CU teammate Chris Miller wrote. “Rest in power Keith.”
CU issued a statement Friday that read: “The University of Colorado is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Keith Miller III. Keith was a member of our football program for two seasons in 2020-21 and in every way imaginable was an outstanding young man in addition to being a beloved father, son, and brother. He will always be a part of the Buffs family and was taken from us way too soon. His family, teammates from both CU and Texas A&M-Commerce, and all those who knew him are in our thoughts.”
After transferring, Miller caught 39 passes for 457 yards and four touchdowns in two seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce. In 2023, he was named a team captain and caught 22 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns.
“We are heartbroken by Keith’s unexpected passing,” Lions head coach Clint Dolezel said in a press release by the school. “Keith was a beloved father, son, teammate, and student-athlete. We extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and all who loved him at this very difficult time.”