Junior tight end Heath Miller was named the winner of the 2004 John Mackey Award yesterday. The award, instituted in 2000, is given annually to the nation's best collegiate tight end. Miller won the award over Stanford's Alex Smith and Mercedes Lewis of UCLA. Past Mackey Award winners include NFL players Dallas Clark and Kellen Winslow.
Miller had 36 receptions for 475 yards and five receiving touchdowns. The junior from Swords Creek, Va. was also a key component in Virginia's run blocking schemes. Miller, also an All-American, has 20 career touchdowns, the most all-time for a tight end in the ACC. Miller's award is the first major national recognition for a Cavalier player since Bill Dudley won the Maxwell Award in 1941. Miller will officially be awarded his Mackey Trophy on April 11, 2005.