Justin Miller To Turn Pro

Miller returned six kickoffs for an NCAA record 282 yards and two touchdowns against FSU. (Rex Brown)

by Press Release - Wed Jan 05 11:34:31 GMT-04:00 2005

Clemson, SC-Justin Miller, a three-year starter at cornerback and the ACC's career leader in kickoff return average, announced Wednesday that he will forego his senior year of eligibility and enter the NFL

draft this April. The native of Owensboro, KY was a semifinalist

for the Thorpe Award this year and led the nation in kickoff return average.

"I want to thank all the Clemson coaches, especially Coach

(Tommy) Bowden, all the fans and everyone associated with Clemson who allowed me to have a great college experience the last three years.

I will miss Clemson, this was a tough decision.

"But, after taking a long look at my options professionally,

I feel it is the time to enter the NFL draft. I have not made a

quick decision. I did not make a final decision until this week. I

have gone about this the right way and feel I am ready to play in the NFL.

"I will always bleed purple and orange and will be a Tiger at heart. I will do whatever I can to represent Clemson in a positive

way in the future."

Miller leaves Clemson with many records and top 10 school rankings. He had 13 interceptions for his three seasons, third in Clemson history behind College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Terry

Kinard and Fred Knoebel. Miller also ranks fourth in Clemson

history in career passes defensed with 44 on 13 interceptions and 31 passes broken up. He is the school's career leader in kick returns for touchdowns with five and in terms of kickoff return average. His

30.68 career average on 50 returns is the best in ACC history and the fourth best in NCAA history.

In 2004, Miller had 54 tackles, the second consecutive year he had that exact number on 46 first hits and eight assists. He had three interceptions and nine passes broken up for 12 total passes defensed. He averaged 33.1 yards per kickoff return to lead the

nation and he also had a 13.0 average in terms of punt returns. His

season included a 282-yard performance on kickoff returns at Florida State that established an NCAA record for a single game. He also tied an NCAA return with two kickoff returns for touchdowns.

A durable player, Miller played in every game of his three year career (37), including each of the last 31 as a starter in the secondary.

Miller had three kick returns for touchdowns this season, the aforementioned kickoff returns against Florida State and a punt return for a score in the overtime win against Wake Forest. Miller earned second-team All-ACC honors as a defensive back and kick returner in 2004 and was named a second-team All-American as a kick returner by Rivals.com.

"I wish Justin all the best," said Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden. "He went about this decision process in an organized, professional manner. He and his mother sought advice from the right people, and communicated with us every step of the way.

"I look forward to following his career at the next level.

He made a great contribution to our program as a defensive back and

as the best kick returner I have ever coached. Some of his records

will be hard to break."

Miller is the sixth Clemson player to turn pro with eligibility remaining since Tommy Bowden became the Clemson head coach at the end of the 1998 season. Rahim Abdullah and Corey Hulsey both turned professional prior to Bowden's first year. Keith Adams left at the end of the 2000 season and Derrick Hamilton and Donnell Washington turned pro after the 2003 season, their respective red-shirt junior years.

Overall, Miller is the 12th Clemson player with eligibility remaining to turn professional since the conclusion of the 1989 season. Nine of the previous 11 have been drafted and 10 of the previous 11 have made an NFL roster. The only one who did not was Ronald Williams, Clemson running back from 1990-92 who played in the Canadian Football League for a decade.

NCAA Career Kickoff Return Leaders

(Yards/Return basis)

Rk Player School Years No Yards Avg

1. Anthony Davis Southern Cal 1972-74 37 1,299 35.1

2. Eric Booth Southern Miss 1994-97 35 1,135 32.4

3. Overton Curtis Utah State 1957-58 32 991 31.0

4. Justin Miller Clemson 2002-04 50 1,534 30.7

5. Fred Montgomery New Mexico St. 1991-92 39 1,191 30.5

Note, Min. 30 returns, players must have concluded careers.

Clemson Players Who have Turned Professional Prior to Senior Year

Year Player, Pos Draft Result

1989 Terry Allen, RB 9th round, Minnesota Vikings