Julius Miles

Physical Profile

Stands at a legitimate 6-foot-6 with a 210-220 pound frame. Possesses a large catch radius and long-strider speed. While currently lean, his frame can easily support an additional 20-30 pounds of muscle without sacrificing athleticism, which will be necessary for him to be a consistent in-line blocker at the collegiate level. His background as a high-jumper in track and a high-scoring basketball player speaks to his explosive lower-body strength and overall coordination.

Play Style

Miles is a classic 'move' or 'flex' tight end who excels as a receiver. On film, he is often split out wide or in the slot, used to exploit favorable matchups. He is a vertical threat down the seam and shows a good feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage. After the catch, he is tough to bring down due to his size and competitive nature, often seen dragging defenders for extra yardage.

Strengths

• Exceptional ball skills and hands. Consistently plucks the ball out of the air and is a natural pass-catcher, evidenced by his 158 career receptions for 2,809 yards and 27 touchdowns in high school.
• Dominant red-zone threat. Uses his height and leaping ability, honed on the basketball court where he was a double-double machine, to win jump balls and be a go-to target inside the 20-yard line.
• Versatility as a receiver. Has experience lining up both as a traditional tight end and split out wide, creating mismatches against linebackers and defensive backs. His career average of 17.8 yards per reception showcases his ability to be a downfield threat.

Areas to Improve

• In-line blocking technique and functional strength. He will need to add significant mass and refine his blocking technique to handle collegiate defensive ends and linebackers in the run game. His high school coach noted he'll have a learning curve in the trenches.
• Route running precision. While a natural athlete, he can further develop the nuance of his route tree to create more consistent separation at the next level against more athletic defenders.

College Projection

Expected to be a significant contributor to Louisville's passing game. Given his lean frame, a redshirt year to add bulk and strength would not be surprising, but his receiving skills could get him on the field in specific packages early in his career. Projects as a multi-year starter and a potential all-conference performer by his third year on campus, with the potential to be an impact player in Jeff Brohm's offense.

NFL Outlook

With his elite height and proven receiving production, Julius Miles possesses a high ceiling for NFL potential. If he successfully adds the necessary weight and develops into an adequate blocker during his time at Louisville, his athletic profile as a matchup-dependent receiving tight end fits the modern NFL game well. He projects as a potential mid-to-late round NFL Draft pick with the upside to develop into a starter.

Best Fit

A spread-based, pass-heavy offensive scheme that utilizes the tight end as a primary receiving weapon. An offense like Jeff Brohm's at Louisville, which values versatile TEs who can create mismatches in space, is an ideal fit for his skill set.