Johncarlos and Noleter Miller made their son a promise: If he committed to playing college football, they would commit to being at every one of his games.
That was a lot easier when Johncarlos Miller II was playing at Elon, an FCS program about 30 minutes from their home in Greensboro, N.C. Still, for the past two seasons, since the 6-foot-5 tight end transferred to Texas Tech, mom and dad have kept their word, making weekly treks to Lubbock, Texas, and across a Big 12 roadmap that spans four time zones.
With the Red Raiders set to face Oregon in Thursday’s Orange Bowl quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, Johncarlos I and Noleter are spending New Year’s in Miami — and hoping the quest continues.
“Before he ever went to college, we told him we’re going to be there,” Johncarlos I said. “We’re going to support you so that you know we got your back. Wherever you are.”
Miller, a fifth-year senior and Greensboro native, spent his first three seasons at Elon, where he set the school record for all-time receiving yards by a tight end. He entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season and chose Texas Tech over interest from Houston, Oklahoma State and West Virginia, among others. Over two seasons, he’s caught 19 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns while appearing in all 26 games, including this year’s 12-1 run to a Big 12 championship, the No. 4 seed in the CFP and a first-round bye.
His parents were there for all 26 games as well, home and away, cheering from the stands with Miller’s older sister, Joaquin, on hand for several. The only game mom and dad have missed in Miller’s five seasons of college ball was during his time at Elon, when Noleter had to travel out of the country for work and Johncarlos I tagged along.
“They’re always there, letting me know that they love me,” said Miller. “It means a lot.”
The family documents each of their voyages on Dad’s X account, posting pictures and videos and interacting with other Tech fans. It’s earned them minor celebrity status in Red Raiders circles.
“A lot of employees at the Lubbock airport know us at this point,” said Noleter. “Other parents or fans will come up to us, some even ask to take pictures. We’ve been loving the journey.”
When I tell yall THIS pic gives me life… proud hubby and dad alert‼️ HUGE DUB over BYU today!! 👆🏾We’ll be adding dancing queen to the mix next week! 😅#WreckEm pic.twitter.com/CiYlpSnA49
— J Miller (@mrap2107) November 9, 2025
The time and financial commitment have increased exponentially since Miller transferred to Tech, but the Millers have always been a tight-knit family, willing to sacrifice the former and never the latter. Johncarlos I, 52, is an assistant superintendent of operations for one of the largest school districts in North Carolina, and Noleter, 54, works as a leadership development manager with a doctorate in educational leadership. Married 28 years, both are accomplished but not wealthy, and while Texas Tech has burnished a reputation for shelling out top-dollar for highly touted transfers, Miller wasn’t one of them. He has earned money from some modest NIL opportunities.
All of it means Johncarlos I and Noleter are like many parents of college athletes who traverse the country to watch their kids play, reorienting and reprioritizing their lives to be there. The full-ride scholarship and any NIL earnings certainly help, but it’s still a selfless dedication.
“His parents’ commitment to being part of his life, being at everything, it’s huge,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “They’re all great people.”
Miller had always been close to home, and was hoping to keep it that way when he left Elon and entered the transfer portal, but most of his power conference offers were far-flung. West Virginia, a six-hour drive from Greensboro, was the closest, though that felt far less daunting than the 20-plus-hour drive to Lubbock.
“My baby can’t leave North Carolina, and the thought of him moving to Texas horrified me,” Noleter said. “In my head, I was saying ‘Don’t go,’ but I never told him that.”
Noleter really had to bite her tongue when Tech moved to the top of Miller’s list, but she and her husband quickly understood why. They joined Miller on his recruiting visit to Lubbock, where Noleter was drawn to McGuire’s patented charm and appreciated that he invited the coaches’ wives to the recruitment dinner.
“It felt like family,” she said.
Johncarlos I felt the same way. He was less hesitant to begin with, joking about how excited he was about a full scholarship and lifting the burden of Elon’s private-school tuition. (Many FCS football players compete on partial scholarships.) More importantly, he trusted McGuire and Texas Tech.
“Look, he’s my baby too, and I loved having him close,” said Johncarlos I, “but if he’s going to be that far away, I wanted him to be in an environment that could help continue what my wife and I had been doing for so long, and that was raising him to be a responsible citizen and a good man.”
They’ve kept close tabs just to be sure, collecting a trove of frequent flier miles in the process. Johncarlos I booked flights, hotels and rental cars for the entire regular season in February, when the schedule was released. Typical game-day weekends began with a 4:30 a.m. arrival at the Greensboro airport, with the goal of catching the first flight out to minimize any potential delays. For home games, the family would connect to Lubbock through Dallas. Miller would usually pick them up from the airport, and his parents would stay at his apartment while the team spent Friday night in a hotel. Noleter tidied up the place and Johncarlos I cleaned and washed his son’s car.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that he’s not spoiled,” Noleter said.
On game days, mom and dad were always at the pregame Raider Walk for home games, and racked up plenty of tailgate invites from other Tech fans. In the stands before kickoff, home or away, they have to make eye contact with Miller. Mom and Dad pump their arms up and down like a kid signaling a big rig truck to blast its horn, shouting “Engine Engine Number 9,” an old country song and their son’s uniform number.
“There’s so many people, you gotta do something different so he knows we’re there,” said Johncarlos I of the arm motion. Miller returns the gesture once he’s spotted them in the crowd.
“It’s like he’s blowing the horn to let me know he sees me,” Noleter said.
The couple has made trips to every corner of the country, including Pullman, Wash.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Stillwater, Okla. and now Miami, arriving with their daughter on Tuesday. They’ve had their share of flight delays and other issues over the past two seasons, including an annoying Iowa State fan during a cold, rainy afternoon in Ames, Iowa. Noleter had an X account as well, but deactivated it for the Playoff because she didn’t like seeing negativity directed at teams and players.
Overall, it’s been a priceless experience.
What’s up Red Raider Fam! We are Miami-bound for the #OrangeBowl! Here come the Millers ready to #WreckEm 👆🏾 Let’s Freaking Gooo Engine Engine #9‼️ pic.twitter.com/oJl1ccGxAC
— J Miller (@mrap2107) December 30, 2025
“My wife and I are very busy, so to have that chance to travel together and spend that quality time to support our son, it does my heart glad,” said Johncarlos I.
They’re not ready for it to end yet, either. Johncarlos I booked their trip to the Big 12 championship in Arlington, Texas, the day after Tech’s lone loss to Arizona State on Oct. 18, confident the team would respond accordingly. A couple of weeks later, he booked refundable hotels and rental cars at every potential Playoff destination, save for plane tickets, locking in a flight to Miami on Selection Sunday.
They’ve got the next two rounds mapped out, too, just in case.
“We love our team. It’s been a wonderful experience to be a part of this ride with the Red Raiders,” said Johncarlos I. “Wherever it leads, we’re going to be there. We’re ready.”