Jamal Miles
RB, 5-10, 180 LBS, ESPN Grade = 74
FR, Peoria, Arizona (Peoria HS)
Doin' work.
Overview:
The second RB from our 2009 class, Miles is lightning quick and shifty running back. One of the most accomplished backs in the state of Arizona. Attended the same high school as former Sun Devil running back Keegan Herring and also current ASU wide receiver T.J. Simpson. Starred on offense, defense and special teams for Peoria. Will fight for carries admist a somewhat-crowded backfield including Nance, Bass, DeWitty, Marshall, Woods and Washington.
Scouting Report:
Benches 265, squarts 330, 35.2" vertical, shuttle time was an impressive 4.22 seconds. 4.40-second 40-yard dash. Scouts - Miles is a productive runner at the high school level, combining good speed and lateral quickness. He lacks great seize, but utilizes his shorter frame to pick and slide through the small creases in traffic and is shifty through the hole. Most effective when he hits the line of scrimmage at full speed, takes one decisive cut and slices thorugh the run seams just as they open. Shows good initial burst while displaying the lateral quickness to bounce it outside and avoid intiial penetration. Flashes a sneaky extra gear when he bounces it outside and turns the corner. Top-end speed is very good. Runs with proper body lean and can bounce off intiial arm tackles with his ability to generate great intiial speed. Durability is a concern, but he is slippery and does not give defenders a clean shot. However, for a smaller back we would like to see a bit more suddenness and a feel for the cutback. Gears down when cutting and is not real elusive with good stop-start skill for a smaller back. Can dance east-west instead of planting and accelerating downhill. Durability, marginal running power and lack of overall yards after contact production are a concern. Overall, we would like to see Miles continue to build up his leaner frame and attack the line of scrimmage with good urgency on a consistent level. Can't coach his good speed, quickness and burst; just needs to put it all together as a runner. Versatility to fit into a number of offensive schemes.
Accolades:
Regarded as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com Also rated by Rivals.com as the No. 27 running back in the nation, the top running back in the state of Arizona and the state's No. 6 overall prospect. Rated as the No. 98 running back in the country by Scout.com Earned first-Team All-4A honors in 2008 by the Arizona Republic. Played in the 2009 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C., along with fellow Sun Devil signees William Sutton and Fred Thornton. Was named to the Friday Night Heroes list by Phoenix Metro Football Magazine.
High School Career:
Played in every aspect of the game. Coached by Doug Clapp at Peoria High School. Career had 565 carries (durability concerns?) for 4,969 yards (8.8 avg) and 83 TDs. Amazing stats.
Senior Year, 2008
Totaled 2,168 rushing yards (wow) on 231 carries (9.4 avg.) with 29 rushing TDs. Led the state of Arizona with an average of 197.1 rushing yards per game. Ranked fourth in the state in total rushing yards and fifth in rushing touchdowns. Also caught three passes for 29 yards. Averaged 34.5 yards on punt returns. Registered 18 total tackels (7 solo) and 1 INT. Surpassed 100 rushing yards in 10/11 games on the year and ran for over 200 yards 6/11 times. Notched a season-high 266 yards on 20 carries with 4 TDs against Sunnyslope on Nov. 14, 2008. Carried a season-high 31 times for 222 yards and 3 TDs against Lake Havasu on Nov. 7, 2008. Scored 6 rushing TD and totaled 242 rushing yards on 20 carries against Agua Fria on Oct. 31, 2008. Carried 27 times for 260 yards and 1 TD against rival Cactus on Oct. 3, 2008. Registered 261 rushing yards on 24 carries with 2 rushing TD versus Millenium on Oct 17, 2008. Tallied a season high 8 tackles (4 solo) against Thunderbird on Sept. 5, 2008.
Junior Year, 2007
Carried 217 times for 1,679 yards (7.7 avg) and 38 TDs as a junior. Averaged 33.2 yards on kickoff returns. Collected 21 total tackles (9 solo) and an INT on defense. Surpassed 100 rushing yards in 8/13 games on the year and rushed for over 200 yards twice. Scored a touchdown in all but one game. Registered a season high 233 yards on 18 carries with 3 TDs against Marana on Sept. 14, 2007. Rushed 20 times for 230 yards and 3 scores against Paradise Valley on Oct. 19, 2007. Scored 5 rushing TD on three occasions and 4 rushing TDs once. Posted a season-high 5 total tackles (3 solo) against Lake Havasu on Nov. 2, 2007.
Sophomore Year, 2006
Led Peoria with 1,122 rushing yards on 117 carries (9.6) with 16 TDs as a sophomore in 2006. Was a teammate of fellow Sun Devil T.J. Simpson that year. Averaged 22.4 yards on kickoff returns. Recorded 8 total tackles (5 solo) rushed for over 100 yards in 6/13 games. Scored 3 rushing TD in two games and scored 2 rushing TD on four occasions. Ran for a season-high 196 yards on 14 carries with 3 TD against Tolleson on Oct. 27, 2006. Carried a season-high 16 times for 155 yards and 2 TD against Westview on Sept. 21, 2006.
The Decision
Chose ASU over Arizona, Colorado State and Utah. "I really like the running back coach (Jamie Christian), he really knows what he's talking about," says Miles. "I also just feel really comfortable around everybody." Verbally committed to the Sun Devils on Dec. 13, 2008.
The Verdict
Sounds like the Keegan Herring replacement - slight of build, but quick and fast. Will eventually be the change of pace back. I don't expect many carries for 2009 though.