Two Days To College Football: Carl Miles Jr. Player Preview

Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hump day, and we are just two days away from kick-off against North Dakota State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. That’s right, get through today and tomorrow, and your thirst for K-State football that’s been growing throughout this hot and dry summer will finally be sated. And though we can’t come close to quenching thirst here, our preview of the man donning jersey #2, cornerback Carl Miles Jr., should be just enough to get you through the day.

Miles is another native of Miami, Florida on the Wildcat team and played for Cypress Bay High School before coming to Manhattan. Rated the number eight cornerback in the State of Florida by Florida Football Magazine (and believe me, there are some fast kids in Florida playing cornerback), he was a team captain for his football and track teams (did I mention he was fast?). His junior year he posted 31 tackles and three interceptions, and followed up that performance with a 36 tackle, five interception effort as a senior.

Miles was highly recruited out of high school, and originally committed to play for Georgia Tech in 2009. After redshirting his first year he appeared in seven games but did not record any statistics. However, he was dismissed in spring 2011 due to what appear to be attitude issues (I couldn’t find anything indicating Miles was actually a trouble-maker, just bad for team chemistry).

I wouldn’t worry about Miles being detrimental to K-State’s sense of chemistry. Bill Snyder does not suffer bad attitudes, and the coaching staff will put a player in their place if need be. He felt Miles was worth bringing to Manhattan and giving a second chance, and entering his senior year we’ll see how the experiment works. Miles was forced to sit out 2011 and lost a year of eligibility, and saw time in 12 games last year for the Wildcats – predominantly on special teams. He finished the season with three tackles and a forced fumble.

Miles was featured on the second team during the spring game and had three tackles on the day in his start. He was mostly called upon to cover Tyler Lockett, and figures to see more time with the defense this year following the departures of Nigel Malone and Allen Chapman. And if nothing else, he offers awesome off-field photo opportunities.

To work backwards in our countdown, visit three days and our look at kicker Jack Cantele and receiver Cody Harrison.