GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman tight end Ryan Miller has been named to Athlon Sports 2021 Preseason FCS All-America Team, it was announced today.

Miller, a 6-foot-2, 221-pound redshirt junior, is coming off a productive 2021 spring season that saw him collect consensus All-Southern Conference accolades and Associated Press First Team All-America honors after catching 15 passes for 254 yards and a team leading six touchdowns, which ranked second among all SoCon receivers.

The Jackson, Tenn., native hauled in two touchdown passes, including a fourth quarter, 73-yard catch and run for a score that helped complete Furman's comeback from 24-7 deficit in an eventual 44-37 overtime win over Samford The performance against the Bulldogs netted him SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honors — the first by a Paladin receiver since 2004.

Miller was among four SoCon players named to the 32-man preseason Athlon Sports All-America squad.

Furman kicks off its 2021 season on Sept. 4 when it plays host to North Carolina A&T at Paladin Stadium.