It would be trite to say Mellott, known as "Touchdown Tommy" in FCS circles, had the individual accolades while Miller had the rings.
But it would also be true.
Because it was on Jan. 6 when Miller's Bison upended Mellott's then-undefeated Bobcats in the FCS title game, 35-32, in Frisco, Texas, with Miller passing for 200 yards and two touchdowns in completing 19 of 22 passes for his second national title in four years. Mellott, the Walter Payton Award winner as the top offensive player in FCS, threw for 195 yards and two TDs while rushing for 135 yards and another score in the loss before 18,005 at Toyota Stadium .
Then there's this: Miller handed Mellott three of his eight career losses in college.
And yet, it's forever been a two-man mutual admiration society, even if grudgingly at times.
"He's always been the best athlete on the field," Miller said of Mellott, who blazed to a 4.39 40-time at his pro day, prompting the switch to receiver and a gaggle of Julian Edelman comparisons to come.
"So for him to be able to make the switch from quarterback to playing receiver, I think, was a pretty easy transition for him. And today, he did a tremendous job. … I know how much work he puts in, on and off the field, and just to be able to spend time out here with him and build that chemistry is really important for me."
True, it was just Day 1 of rookie minicamp, but as Raiders Owner Mark Davis told me at the start of practice, "The future begins today."
It could not have started any better for the two sixth-round draft picks. Not with the 6-foot, 215-pound Miller getting the majority of snaps at QB among rookies (former UNLV signal caller Hajj-Malik Williams was also in camp on a tryout basis) and the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Mellott getting so much run in the slot.
"When I was on the sidelines, you know, getting to watch him play, I [gained] a lot of respect for him," Mellott said of Miller. "I always knew he was a good player, and so I'm excited to go out here and work with him, for sure."