Exum, Miller And Tyler Named To Award Watch Lists

Three more Hokies, Andrew Miller, Jack Tyler and Antone Exum, were tabbed to pre-season award watch lists in the last two days. They join teammates Logan Thomas, James Gayle and Cody Journell, who had been honored with the same designations in the past few days.

Miller was named to the Outland Trophy watch list Thursday, which is awarded annually to the nation's top interior lineman. He is one of 75 linemen nationally to be named to the watch list. Miller was slowed by injuries in 2012, starting and playing in only seven games. He will again be expected to be the Hokies' best lineman this season.

Jack Tyler and Antone Exum were also named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list Thursday, which is awarded annually to the top defensive player in the nation by the Charlotte Touchdown Club as judged by the Football Writers Association of America. In all, 81 players were named to the watch list. Tyler led the Hokies in tackles last year with 119. He was also first with 13 tackles for a loss and recorded 2.5 sacks. Exum struggled with the switch to cornerback early in 2012, but as the season went on, became Tech's best cover corner, leading the team with 16 breakups and 21 passes defensed. He also put up 48 tackles, forced two fumbles, recovered one and led the team with 5 interceptions.

Exum was also named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list today. The Thorpe Award is given annually to the top defensive back in the country, as voted on by the Jim Thorpe Association. Exum, who is recovering from knee surgery after tearing his ACL early in the year, was one of 50 players named to the watch list.

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