Jeromy Miles, SS

This two-time FCS All-American began his career at the Naval Academy, but transferred to UMass after a Freshman All-American season in which he started 11 games and made 61 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Miles' decision to leave the military behind proved fruitful for the Minutemen as he started every one of the team's 36 games over the next three years.

Miles was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association third-team in his first year at UMass, making 67 tackles, intercepting two passes, breaking up nine others and forcing four fumbles. As a junior, he gained All-American notice by ringing up 104 tackles, five for loss and three interceptions. And though his numbers were down a bit in 2009 (64 tackles, 0.5 for loss, two interceptions), he played more Cover-2 and teams were wary about throwing in his direction. The Walter Camp Foundation recognized him as an FCS All-American after the season.

Despite all that production, Miles' campus workout (4.45-second 40, 6.81 three cone) may have put him over the top for teams looking at late-round safeties. His quickness and ball skills, along with aggressive tackling that will be used on defense and special teams early on, should elevate him into being drafted.

Read & React: Recognizes run or pass quickly, and keeps an eye on the quarterback while understanding routes coming in his area. Jumps screen passes, fighting through blocks to do so. Could chase down plays across the field more regularly.

Man Coverage: Lines up against slot receivers regularly, and has the length and strength to press. Needs to tighten up his backpedal as he tends to get high and choppy, but transitions well to run with receivers down the field. Adequate change of direction skills to stay with larger receivers but does not have elite agility to stay with quicker NFL slot men. Breaks on the ball, however, and uses his recognition skills to jump routes or be in the right place for a tipped-ball interception. Good concentration and hands to make the play and can outrun would-be tacklers, run through them, or make them miss after the catch to flip field position.

Zone Coverage: Good range to cover the deep half, and quick enough to get to the sideline or the seam to help out his corner. Explosive tackler on plays in front of him. Can be a step late to see open receivers on seam routes.

Closing/Recovery: Good acceleration to the ball when it is in the air; can knock away passes as the ball arrives or as the receiver make the catch. Lacks great recovery speed if beaten by a double move or if late recognizing receiver coming into his area.

Run Support: Very willing and physical in run support, attacking the line of scrimmage. Will duck his head but usually gets into the thigh of the running back and wraps up a leg to bring him down. Seven career forced fumbles shows ability to get his helmet on the ball. Maintains gap responsibility. Will get redirected by receiver blocks or try to run around them, but is strong enough to shed.

Tackling: Secure wrap-up tackler in the box or in space. Likes to lower the shoulder as well on receivers on crossing routes. Comfortable in the box or playing deep. Angles to the ball could be improved, but usually has the length and agility to still make the play.

Intangibles: Team captain as a senior who understood his role as a motivator and leader by example for the team's younger players. Academic all-conference in 2008, 2009. Navy transfer could be a red flag, but Miles and his coaches say he learned discipline and respect during his time in Annapolis. Special teams contributor. Durable four-year starter.

Decorated senior captain free safety, pro prospect … 2009 Walter Camp First Team All-American … 2009 CAA All-Conference First Team … 2009 New England Writer All-Star … Buck Buchanan Award Candidate as top FCS defensive player … 2009 Preseason Consensus First Team All-American … 2009 Preseason All-CAA Selection by Coaches and Phil Steele … Senior captain (along with Vladimir Ducasse) … Started 47 games in a row, including all 36 games at UMass … Tied for fourth on team in tackles with 62 (5.6 per game), also two interceptions, two fumbles forced and five passes defended … In college finale at Hofstra (11/21) with seven tackles … Six tackles and pass break-up on Senior Day vs. James Madison (11/14) … Three stops and a half-TFL in win over Northeastern (11/7) … Six tackles at #1 Richmond (10/24) … Two tackles before injury in win over #4 UNH (10/17) … Nine tackles, an interception and forced fumble at Delaware (10/10) … Six stops in win over Stony Brook (9/26) … Five tackles in win over Rhode Island (9/19) … Picked off an interception, had seven tackles, a forced fumble vs. Albany (9/12) … Eight tackles and a pass break-up at Kansas State (9/5).

CAA FIRST TEAM SAFETY … 2008 Preseason All-American by Draft Consensus … 2008 Preseason CAA first-team safety … Junior free safety, who is in second year as a starter at UMass after transfer from Navy … First on UMass in tackles with 104, starting every game … Ranks fifth overall in CAA in tackles per game (8.7). That mark leads all defensive backs in the league … First on team solo tackles with 56. Also has five passed defended and 5.0 TFLs for 13 yards … Has three interceptions with return for first career TD along with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … Racked up 47 tackles over final three games (15.7 per game) … Four double-figures tackle games this season … Third game in a row with double-figure tackles with 10 vs. Hofstra (11/22) also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble … Posted 18 tackles including 10 stops at #13 New Hampshire (11/15) … Career-high and UMass season-best 19 tackles (7 solo) along with an interception and a TFL vs. Maine (11/8). Made 200th career tackle in the game … Led UMass with eight tackles and TFL at Rhode Island (11/1) … Six stops and a pass break-up against Bryant (10/25) … Nine tackles including a TFL vs. #9 Richmond (10/18) … Game-sealing fumble recovery with 1:30 left in regulation in win at Northeastern (10/11). Also had three tackles … Returned a 52-yard interception for a touchdown to seal win over #16 Delaware (10/4) … Forced fumble leading to Brian Ellis' touchdown at #11 FBS Texas Tech (9/20). Also had five tackles … Had seven stops at #7 James Madison (9/13) … Led UMass with eight tackles at Holy Cross (9/6) … Racked up second career double-figure tackle game with 10 stops (five solo) vs. Albany (8/30). Also had fifth career interception and a TFL for four yards.

2007 CAA THIRD-TEAM SAFETY. 2006 ECAC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR, All-ECAC First Team, Sporting News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American (at Navy) Transfer from Navy, who is the starting free safety in first season at UMass. Had 67 tackles (38 solo) along with four forced fumbles, second in the CAA, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and 10 passes defended in 13 starts. Second in CAA in passes defended with 11. Named UMass Athlete of the Week after Villanova win on Oct. 13. Four tackles including a TFL at #4 Southern Illinois (12/1) in NCAA Quarterfinal. Led UMass with a career-high 10 tackles in NCAA First Round win over Fordham (11/24). Had interceptions in back-to-back weeks with one at Hofstra (11/17). Picked off first pass with UMass along with eight tackles in win over #14 New Hampshire (11/10). Made six tackles, recovered a fumble and had a TFL at Rhode Island (11/3). Tied for team-high with career-best nine tackles, forced a fumble and two pass break-ups at William & Mary (10/27). Made four pass break-ups, all in th end zone, to help UMass to 4OT win over Villanova (10/13). Three of the PBU in overtime sessions. Also made five tackles. Made six tackles at Boston College (9/29) along with a TFL. Forced his league-best third fumble at Maine (9/22), also made two tackles as defense held Maine to 67 passing yards. Racked up five tackles along with a pass break-ups vs. #23 Towson (9/15). Forced two fumbles, had three tackles and two TFLs for 10 yards at Colgate (9/8). In UMass debut, had six tackles and a fumble recovery against Holy Cross (9/1).

At Navy: Named First-Team All-East and the ECAC Freshman of the Year … Named Honorable Mention Freshman All-American by The Sporting News … Played in all 13 games, starting the final 11 contests … Finished the season with 61 tackles, which ranked fifth on the team with 28 solo stops and 33 assists … Also had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … In on two tackles against Army (12/11) … Registered four tackles and intercepted a pass, returning it 24 yards against Temple (11/18) … Huge game against Eastern Michigan (11/11), recording six tackles, recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass for 28 yards … In on seven tackles and forced a fumble against Duke (11/4) … Contributed seven tackles and broke up a pass against Notre Dame (10/28) … led the team in tackles with eight, including 0.5 for a loss, against Rutgers (10/14) … was in on three tackles in the win over Air Force (10/7) … Made five tackles, including 0.5 for a loss, and recovered a fumble in the win over UConn (9/30) … Strong game against Tulsa (9/23), registering a then career-high seven tackles, including one for a loss … Earned his first-career start at Stanford (9/16), making two tackles including 0.5 for a loss … Made three tackles against UMass (9/9) … In first career against East Carolina (9/2) made one tackle.

Earned three letters in football and four each in wrestling and track at Winslow High School … track team won three state championships while he was in school … was an all-conference performer in football.

Jeromy Theodore Miles … Born July 20, 1987 in Voorhees, N.J. … Son of Dorotheia Perry … Majoring in Kinesiology.