Junior Bruce Miller (Conyers, Ga.) was named today to the preseason All-Conference USA first team in a vote of the league’s 12 head coaches.
A poll conducted by league media members that was announced yesterday had it differently with senior Torrell Troup (Canton, Ga.) named to the All-C-USA first team and Miller garnering second-team accolades. The league office did not release a second team for the coaches poll. Both players were named to the coaches’ All-C-USA team following the 2008 season.
The Knights return almost the entire front seven two-deep from a defensive unit that led C-USA in rushing defense (126.08 ypg) and passing efficiency defense (107.46 rating) while ranking second in the league in both total defense (333.75 ypg) and scoring defense (24.08 ppg).
UCF’s defensive line proved to be particularly strong last fall, ranking third in the nation with 8.17 tackles for loss per game and 26th nationally in sacks.
A disruptive force at tackle, Troup started all 12 games last fall. Through frequent double-teams, Troup was able to amass 12.5 TFLs, tying for fourth overall in C-USA.
Miller showed versatility last fall, playing at both end and tackle to help the Knights get an even speedier look to the unit. He shared the C-USA lead in 2008 with 17 TFLs.