It took until the very end of Friday's rookie minicamp practice for Cam Miller to find Tommy Mellott.
Literally.
The two longtime FCS quarterback rivals – Miller at North Dakota State, Mellott at Montana State - were both on offense at the conclusion of team drills, what with Mellott having converted to receiver. And it was then when Miller spied Mellott crossing the middle from the right side.
Miller's pass, though, arrived at the same time as a safety did and after a slight bobble, Mellott came down with the football. Seconds later, Miller and Mellott met midfield for a sky-high chest bump to celebrate.
"Let's go!" Miller yelled.
"I was just excited," Mellott deadpanned.
"It's a tight window – I know that first-hand – it's not an easy throw. So I knew, when I wrapped around the nickel [cornerback], that there's a shot if you go high. He gave me a shot and I went and got the ball."
From the relative anonymity of FCS to the glamour of the NFL, Miller and Mellott have not only renewed their rivalry, but re-written it.
From being the best of frenemies to, as Mellott joked, a full-blown "bromance" breaking out.
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."
It was no secret the Raiders, under new management with General Manager John Spytek and Coach Pete Carroll, were going to draft a quarterback among their eventual 11 selections.
Even in acquiring Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade and returning Aidan O'Connell and Carter Bradley.
In fact, Miller knew the Raiders were interested in him. So when he saw his rival's name pop up at pick No. 213, he was even more intrigued that he could be next…even if it was just two picks later.
"I thought it would be kind of ironic if they decided to take two of the better players in the FCS with almost back-to-back picks," Miller said. "So when I saw his name come up, I knew that there was a decent chance. … It was really a few seconds after we saw Tommy's name pop up on the screen that I got the phone call."
Mellott was celebrating with family when he saw the ticker, and did a Montana-sized double-take.
"I was like, 'Oh my gosh, Cam Miller just got drafted, too,'" Mellott recalled. "So I was like, 'What?' I certainly didn't anticipate it being that close. I had no idea that the Raiders were [Nos.] 213, 215, so I wasn't really looking specifically at him at that point."
Now, as the Raiders' offseason program ramps up, Mellott will be looking specifically at Miller for more passes and, thus, opportunities.
And both players - quarterback and quarterback-turned-receiver - will bring their FCS-sized chips-on-their-shoulders with them onto the field.
"Most people look down on FCS football, and that the level of competition isn't the same," Miller said. "But I think, no matter where you're at and if you, you know, love to compete and you're talented enough, the NFL is going to find you."
Kinda like how Miller and Mellott found each other with the Raiders.
Take an exclusive look inside Intermountain Health Performance Center as the 2025 rookie class hits the practice field for the second day of minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Pat Conroy (86), tight end Carter Runyon (46), wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) and tackle Parker Clements (70) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dominic Boyd (62) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (54) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jarrod Hufford (64) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive quality control coach Conner McQueen at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dominic Boyd (62) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback John Humphrey (39) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant performance dietician Michael Shadowen at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Pat Conroy (86) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) and defensive end Jah Joyner (59) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback John Humphrey (39) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Mello Dotson (35) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Parker Clements (70) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (54) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A Las Vegas Raider at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jah Joyner (59) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebackers coach John Glenn at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Footballs on the practice field at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dominic Boyd (62) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jarrod Hufford (64) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Gottlieb Ayedze (72) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A Las Vegas Raider at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Mello Dotson (35) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback John Humphrey (39) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) and wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (82) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Pat Conroy (86) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders run game coordinator/offensive line coach Brennan Carroll at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Matt Jones (42) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Mello Dotson (35) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant offensive line coach Andy Dickerson at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jah Joyner (59) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A view from the practice field at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll at day two of 2025 Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
