Barron Miles Made Big Plays With Small Body
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June 21, 2007 by
Most Husker fans first took notice of cornerback Barron Miles on a Thursday night in Stillwater in October of 1993, when he blocked a punt and hauled it in for a touchdown to break a 13-13 tie after three quarters and helped deliver head coach Tom Osborne his 200th win.
Miles finished that season with 3 blocked kicks. In the national championship game against Florida State, he tied for a team-high 9 tackles and helped hold the Seminoles to 18 points – the fewest for a Husker bowl opponent since Nebraska’s 30-15 Sugar Bowl victory on New Year’s day in 1987.
In 1994, Miles added to his playmaking legend by blocking four kicks, intercepting five passes, breaking up 13 passes, and forcing one fumble. His efforts that year earned him first team all-conference honors, third-team All-American honors, and helped deliver Tom Osborne his first national championship. All of that is impressive enough, but what’s more impressive is that Miles managed to be that productive at 5’8” and 165 lbs.
For those who bemoan the similarly small Cortney Grixby’s lack of size (he goes 5’9” and 170 lbs.), understand that it’s not just about size. Barron Miles had to face a Miami team with a pair of 6’4” wideouts in Chris T. Jones and A.C. Tellison and other big receivers like Colorado’s Michael Westbrook along the way. Miles proved you don’t have to be big to play big.
It would be unfair to expect Grixby to become the next Barron Miles, but it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to study Miles film. It's essentially a blueprint for success as an undersized corner. But Miles may have been a once-in-a-lifetime player. We may not see another quite like him ever again.
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Scott Jun 21 07
How fun was this kid to watch against Miami in the Orange Bowl?? It was tough in the early going of that game but the team didn't quit and you could see the Miami receivers getting more and more frustrated as the game went on. The one thing that would have made the game that much better would to see one of their punts blocked. He was close on quite a few of them but just couldn't quite get one.
There was a nice article on him about a year ago regarding his accomplishments in the CFL.
Gregory Jun 21 07
Cortney may also be a better athlete.
He's got an opportunity this season, for it to all come together as a senior. A newcomer will have to beat him out.
With Bowman out until possibly November, he very well may be one starter. He could even be a starter when (if) Bowman regains a position. I'm not worried about it, of course, I have that luxury. But, were the coaches bellyaching about him like some fans? Don't think so.
I'm more concerned about the safeties, than the corners, but this is the most physically talented lineup since the Bullocks and Fabian were still on loan from the NFL.
Husker Mike Jun 21 07
That play against Okie State wasn't so much a punt block, but rather Miles catching the ball as it hit the Cowboy punter's foot. One of the great highlights.
But one of my favorite memories was when Barron Miles was introduced on senior day, he kneeled down and kissed the turf. In Miles' case, it shows that sometimes the size of someone's heart is more important than their height.