Washington football has sent some excellent defensive backs to the NFL over the last few seasons, who is the next one?
Washington football had some standout players in the secondary this season like Taylor Rapp and Byron Murphy, but there was an unsung hero in the secondary who has been excellent during his time on the field over the last two seasons. Jordan Miller, who was invited to two of the senior showcase games, but declined them both to focus on prepping for the draft. He deserves an invite to the NFL Combine. And when he gets there, the lanky 6’1 corner is going to be one of the biggest risers at the event.
After he broke his ankle on a nasty play at Arizona State in 2017, Husky fans were unsure whether he would return for his senior season. Miller was one of the best corners in the country during his seven games in 2017, and his stock still seemed to be high even after the injury. But surely enough, he did return and didn’t disappoint in 2018. He set a career high in tackles with 26, along with his two interceptions, six passes defensed, and two forced fumbles while playing in only nine games.
Miller could experience a rise similar to Kevin King‘s. While he might not end up being the 33rd overall pick, he could see his stock rise into the end of Day Two or beginning of Day Three. He didn’t participate in the 2018 Husky Combine as he was rehabbing from his broken ankle, but his numbers from 2017 were stellar. He ran a 4.39 40 yard dash, along with his 41.0 inch vertical which was tops at the event.
While Rapp and Murphy will shine at the NFL Combine, that shouldn’t take anything away from Miller. He has a very similar build to King, who is 6’3 200 pounds, compared to Miller’s 6’1, 181. Every team could use a DB like Miller, who is excellent in both zone and man coverage, and has the long arms and speed to stay with some of the bigger receivers in the NFL.
Jordan Miller locked down against Pac-12 QBs last season when he was on the field pic.twitter.com/vXNMUODYFq
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 18, 2018
Miller really does deserve a combine invite, and he’ll blow it up when he gets there. Jimmy Lake coaches his defensive backs the right way, and Miller can help prove it.