Various college players make the trip to Indianapolis every year for the NFL Combine. Most fans are well aware of the prospects from schools like Notre Dame and Alabama but there are also a handful of lesser-known prospects as well. Morgan State offensive lineman Joshua Miles, a Western Tech (Baltimore) grad was one of them.
Miles, a standout left tackle who dominated the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enough to become the first player in Morgan State University’s history to compete in the East-West Shrine game. The scouts are well aware of his talent, which led to him being selected to participate in the Combine.
While well-known prospects stood at podiums during media availability, Miles sat among a group of players at tables waiting to be interviewed. It seemed like an uncomfortable situation but being able to thrive in those situations is what Miles feels will make him successful as a pro, even if he is playing a new position.
“I feel comfortable in awkward situations. I feel like I can excel where maybe others can’t,” Miles said at the Combine. “It’s a matter of mindset. I am confident about my talent and who I am, and I will just go out there and play my game.”
Coming from a smaller school, Miles says he has a chip on his shoulder. The mild-mannered giant (6’ 6’’ and 315 pounds) says the chip makes it easy for him to flip the switch and become the aggressive person he has to be to excel on the football field. There is a certain degree of pride that Miles has from playing at Morgan State.
“HBCU football has so much talent. The MEAC is a hotbed for that. We’ve pumped out several big names over the last few years. Darius Leonard was an All-Pro. Tarik Cohen also an All-Pro. There are really talented guys, and the conference has always been competitive. There’s a lot of pride playing black college football.”
The measurables worked out in Miles’ favor. His 84” wingspan along with his 6’ 6” height shows his length.
The 36-inch vertical and nine-foot broad jump shows his explosiveness. Pair that with the athleticism that he developed from playing assorted sports growing up, and you have a prospect that coaches are anxious to get their hands on.
Miles is projected to be a guard in the NFL but offers value as a tackle as well. Growing up on Baltimore, he is a long-time fan of the Ravens and lists Jonathan Odgen as one of his favorite players. Who knows, maybe his versatility and athleticism could lead him to follow in Odgen’s footsteps and put on a Baltimore Ravens jersey in the pros.