He might not be the biggest or the fastest, but Marquette’s Robby Mills is out to prove this season he is one of the most overlooked players in Missouri.
A 6’2, 190-pound 2018 quarterback, Mills stands tall in the pocket and has the ability to slow the game down and make the right reads.
“In my head before every snap I go through my pre snap reads, check my receivers alignments and make sure we’re set to have a great football play,” he said. “I bring to our team a guy who my teammates can depend on to be at every workout, be a leader, and ball out when it comes to Friday nights.”
A year ago, Mills suffered an injury that kept him out of the line-up, but he says he has high expectations for himself and the Mustangs this season. Coming off an 8-3 season with a host of key players returning, Mills says expectations are high for the Mustangs.
“Our team at Marquette will be a district title contender,” Mills said. “If we keep putting in the work we have been, we will be fine. Personally, I know that on the offensive ball, we will be more prepared for week 1 than we have been in school history, with the amount of film study and playbook study that we have already been doing in June.”
Mills says he has been focused this offseason on working on throwing without the laces.
“Quick throw is a huge attribute for a QB to have, and I have been working hard with 7 on 7 and summer camp on quick throw to perfect my craft,” he says.
Mills grew up in Cincinnati Ohio, where football is huge. He started playing in second grade, and fell in love with the game. He was a part of the Stallions football organization growing up, and says he had years of fun playing as a little kid.
Mills says his grandfather — who played at Mizzou — has had a big impact in his football career, as has his dad, who he says has been by his side the whole way.
“(My dad) has really pushed me to be the best I can,” Mills said. “Wether it be throwing with me in the backyard or driving me to camps, my dad was my biggest influence.’
Mills says he tries to pattern his game after former St. Louis Ram and NFL standout Kurt Warner.
“Kurt was slept on for a while, he is not the biggest, strongest, or fastest QB, but when Kurt got his opportunity, he ran with it,” Mills said. “Kurt Warner has the ‘It’ factor, and all of his guys rally behind him … and I feel like at Marquette I’m the same.”
Although he currently does not hold any offers, Mills says he has drawn interest from several colleges.
“As far as I go, my top interest is defiantly in Murray State, Western Illinois, Butler, Stetson, Lindenwood, and Missouri S&T,” Mills said. “Those are my top schools at this point in recruitment.
“I feel like the most slept on player in Missouri. Only time will tell to see if all my hard work will pay off.”