Four outside linebackers played at least one defensive snap for Alabama in its stunning loss to Clemson in the national championship game.

Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams handled the lion's share of the workload while laying it on the line in the final hours of their college careers. Anfernee Jennings gave them some relief.

And then there was Christian Miller, who pressured Tigers quarterback DeShaun Watson on one of the four plays during which he was deployed.

The brief cameo offered a glimpse of what may be to come for Miller -- a redshirt junior and prototypical edge rusher. After all, both Williams and Anderson and gone, leaving Miller with an opportunity to contribute much more than he has in the past. In 15 games last season, Miller flashed potential as he recorded 16 tackles and two sacks in 113 snaps -- more than half of which were devoted to hunting the quarterback.

But Alabama coach Nick Saban expressed some reservations about Miller's ability to withstand the rigors that come with a full-time role because of his slim frame. Miller stands 6-foot-4 and last season weighed 230 pounds.

"He's been in the program for a while so I think he's really got a lot of good knowledge and experience," Saban said. "I think the thing we've always tried to do is get him strong enough that he can go out there and sustain playing at the point. I think he's made an improvement in that area and certainly can help us in the pass rush category. That's something that getting a little bigger, helping him turn speed into power, and that'll be certainly something that would help him be a more effective rusher. We're pleased with the progress that he's made."

Miller is now listed at 240 pounds and Saban noted that the outside linebacker has indeed "gained a little weight."

Whether it will translate into more production on the field is uncertain. Rashaan Evans, who once an edge rusher like Miller was, believes it will. Like many before him at Alabama, where the internal competition is fierce, Miller has patiently waited for the chance to move from the sideline to the field, according to Evans.

"He has been a guy who has played his role, hasn't complained at all," Evans said. "He has been that type of guy who has been a team player. I feel like anybody who is looking at him...I feel like teams need those kind of guys.

"He may not have had as much playing time as he wanted, but to be able to come up and actually get a role now, actually play, forget about those things that happened in the past and play to his role now is his biggest trait."

Going forward, it would certainly seem to benefit Miller, who appears ready to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight after a brief appearance on college football's biggest stage back in January.