Miller Named to Thorpe Award’s Watch List

July 1, 2003

Clemson sophomore cornerback Justin Miller has been named as one of the preseason candidates for the 2003 Jim Thorpe Award. The Thorpe Award, which is named after one of the best all-around athletes in history, is presented annually to the nation’s best defensive back.

Miller, who led the ACC and ranked fifth in the nation with eight interceptions during his freshman season, is projected as one of the nation’s best defensive backs. The native of Kentucky finished last season with 61 tackles, nine passes broken up, and two fumbles caused.

The only true freshman to play for Clemson in 2002, Miller excelled in the return game, taking his first kickoff all the way back for a touchdown against NC State. He led the ACC with a Clemson all-time record 35.1 yards per return. Earlier this summer he was named a preseason candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which is given to the top defensive player in the nation.

The Thorpe “watch list” will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists on November 3 and then to three finalists the Monday before Thanksgiving. The finalists will gather at Disney World for the College Football Awards Show on December 11 where the winner will be announced on ESPN.

Players on the list have been named preseason All-American or Honorable Mention All-American in at least six preseason football magazines. A candidate must be listed as high as third-team All-American in at least one publication or as a fourth-team or honorable mention in at least three of these publications. Justin Miller is listed as a first-team All-American by the Sporting News and he is ranked as the number-two cornerback in the nation by that publication.