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30 college football players with big shoes to fill in 2017

By Brad Weiss

Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Jordan Miller (23) high-fives fans as he comes out onto the field to warm-up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Jordan Miller (23) high-fives fans as he comes out onto the field to warm-up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
27

Jordan Miller

Cornerback, Washington

The Washington Huskies were the class of the Pac-12 last season, wining the conference, and then being selected to play in the College Football Playoff. In 2017, they should once again be the team to beat in the Pac-12 North Division, as they return one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Jake Browning. The defensive secondary took a big hit due to the NFL Draft, as stars Budda Baker, Sidney Jones, and Kevin King were all first-round talents.

Replacing Jones and King at cornerback is going to be tough, but junior Jordan Miller is up for the task. He has appeared in all 27 games since arriving on campus, and has earned his chance to shine on the Huskies defense. He really separated himself during the Spring Game, and will now find himself atop the depth chart at one of the more important positions on the defense.

Miller has played sparingly during his time with the Huskies, mostly because he was playing behind All-American caliber cornerbacks. He did make his presence felt in the Apple Cup last season, intercepting Washington State star quarterback Luke Falk. He will get another shot at the Cougars this season, as the Huskies attempt to make it back to the College Football Playoff in 2017.

Washington will have to navigate a very tough Pac-12 to get back to the promised land this season, and being able to stop the pass is going to be key. The North Division alone boasts names like Falk and Justin Herbert, with Sam Darnold of USC awaiting on the other side of the conference. The Huskies expect big things from Miller, and he will certainly get the chance to prove that he can supplant King and Jones in his first season as a starter.

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