Samdup Miller selected to ESPN’s freshman All-America team

Northwestern defensive end Samdup Miller has been selected to ESPN’s 2017 Freshman All-America team, as selected by David Hale.

Hale had this to say on Miller’s impressive debut season:

“His 8.5 tackles for loss led Power 5 freshman defensive linemen, and he added 5.5 sacks -- good for 13th in the Big Ten -- 32 tackles and four QB hurries.”

Miller, an early enrollee, appeared in all 12 of Northwestern’s regular season contests, notching sacks in three consecutive weeks (Wisconsin, Penn State and Maryland) to open Big Ten play. He also had sacks against Nebraska and Minnesota and a half-sack against Illinois. Against the Illini, he also scooped up a fumble and returned it three yards for a touchdown.

Miller’s 5.5 sacks were second on the team behind Joe Gaziano’s 8.0, and his 32 total tackles were second-most among defensive linemen, trailing only Tyler Lancaster’s 38.

Miller was one of five Big Ten players to earn this honor. Joining him from the conference were Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor, Ohio State “all purpose” selection J.K. Dobbins, Illinois safety Bennett Williams and Michigan State cornerback Josiah Scott.

The team was composed of true freshman only, making standout linebacker Paddy Fisher ineligible for the list. Regardless, it’s a nice honor for Miller, who has a bright future in Evanston.