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Tehuti Miles: University of Maryland football walk-on survived Afghanistan, fights for playing time

By The Sports Xchange
Tehuti Miles, a 10th Mountain Division veteran who served in Afghanistan, now finds himself on the roster of the University of Maryland Terrapins. Photo courtesy of the University of Maryland Football Communications Office/Soldiers Magazine
Tehuti Miles, a 10th Mountain Division veteran who served in Afghanistan, now finds himself on the roster of the University of Maryland Terrapins. Photo courtesy of the University of Maryland Football Communications Office/Soldiers Magazine

In his first three years on the Maryland football team, running back Tehuti Miles has earned scout team player of the week multiple times. The United States military veteran honored with 11 medals during his yearlong tour in Afghanistan has greater goals in mind.

As a senior walk-on, Miles is driven to make sure this year includes time away from the scout team and in the huddle with the first team.

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A running back for two years at Hammonton High School in New Jersey, Miles enlisted for the army and began his tour of duty in 2011 and served a total of four years. When he first came to College Park to work out with the team, Miles needed a waiver to participate in practice after the NCAA ruled he did not meet core high school classwork requirements.

Now he has just one semester left before he earns his degree but is adjusting yet again thanks to a coaching change in the offseason to D.J. Durkin.

"I got some positive feedback from the coaches and everything like that (at end of spring practice)," he told ESPN. "I like (Durkin). I guess he has a whole different mindset and attitude. It's more toward the military attitude."

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While enlisted Miles received the National Defense Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Afghanistan Campaign with Star Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Unit Citation and Expert Rifleman Badge.

Durkin is a regimented sort and his style suits Miles. Whether that equates to playing time is to be determined. Miles worked on the scout team in multiple roles under the coach who gave him his first tryout at Maryland, Randy Edsall, and could crack the rotation on special teams if not at running back. Many backup running backs also participate on the kick return or kick coverage teams.

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