He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American in 2012.

[1] In January 2014 the Alabama High School Athletic Association re-aligned to seven classifications, with 32 teams competing at the 7A level.

[2] In his first start against Auburn High School he intercepted a pass and ran it back 40 yards for a touchdown.

After finishing his junior season with 57 tackles (33 solo) and seven interceptions (two of them returned for touchdowns), he earned 6A ASWA All-State honorable mention.

Milliner was also an standout track and field athlete at Stanhope Elmore, where he competed in events ranging from the 100-meters to the long jump.

[7] Growing up in a family of Alabama fans,[1] Milliner picked the Crimson Tide over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, among others.

[8] In his sophomore season, Milliner was the third cornerback in Alabama's depth chart, behind Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie.

Milliner intercepted his third pass of the season early in the fourth quarter and returned it 35 yards for a game-clinching score.

With Kirkpatrick and Menzie leaving for the NFL after the 2011 season, Milliner was Alabama's undisputed top cornerback.

He was subsequently named a unanimous first-team All-American,[10] while also being among the finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award.

[19] He became the third Alabama cornerback in four years selected in the first round, after Kareem Jackson and Dre Kirkpatrick.

[21] Milliner experienced a tumultuous start to his career, being benched 3 times during games for his lackluster performance.

Milliner suffered an ankle sprain during training camp, keeping him out until opening day.

During Week 6 against the Denver Broncos on October 13, 2014, Milliner left the game with an Achilles tendon injury.