Von Miller, OLB

Miller's role in the A&M defense over the past three years has been fairly simple: get after the quarterback on almost every play. The 2010 Butkus Award winner as the nation's best linebacker has been a thorn in the side of passers and offensive linemen since he arrived in College Station.

Miller got off to a slow start as a senior while bouncing back from an ankle injury. He took off late in the year, finishing with 68 tackles, 17.5 for loss, 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Those numbers were down from his 2009 All-American season when he led the nation in sacks with 17, forcing four fumbles, broking up five passes; 21.5 of his 48 tackles resulted in lost yardage.

This success was not a great surprise, as he earned freshman All-American accolades in 2007 after making 22 tackles, four for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble as a situational pass rusher. He then earned four starts as a sophomore, playing in all 12 contests after moving to outside linebacker, accumulating 44 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The highly-touted Texas recruit plays the "joker" position, a defensive end/rush linebacker hybrid spot at which he almost always was standing up at the nine-technique position outside the left or right tackle. Though some scouts will label him a one-trick pony as a pass rusher without great size, the increased use of the 3-4 base scheme in the NFL and his explosiveness off the edge could earn him a high draft slot.

Read & React: Overall instincts for the position, particularly containment and run responsibility and reaction, are questionable since he is primarily used in a "sic 'em" role. Still getting a feel for coverage but reacts quickly when the ball is thrown to the flat. Good feel for pass rush. He sniffs out indecision in the passer and senses weakness in an offensive tackle. Knows when to go for the ball or big hit on to create turnovers.

Run defense: Improving against the run, but must be more consistent to become an elite all-around player. Plays with more strength than expected; is adequate grounding his hold on the move when engaged but does lose his balance. Willing to lower his shoulder against pulling guards to fill inside gaps. Teams take advantage of his continual edge rushing to get a running lane outside. Overruns plays with aggressive angles and a lack of focus on the ball. Crashes down on plays if he senses an inside run, but lacks the explosive punch to knock back fullback or tackle blocks. Inconsistent chaser on the back side, could increase his tackle production with more effort.

Pass defense: Could excel in this part of the game because of his fluidity and quickness, but is still raw in coverage. Mirrors running backs and tight ends off the line into the flat and downfield. Athletic enough to drop deep, keeps one eye on the running back and the other on the quarterback. Is not aware of receivers behind him. Needs to get his hands up to clog passing lanes more consistently when unable to reach the passer. Must improve his hands for the interception.

Tackling: Strong upper body and closing speed make him an explosive tackler who is tough to elude in the backfield. Loads up on ballcarriers -- sometimes even leaving his feet -- to force fumbles. Chase effort is mixed; will stop four or five steps from a play if he thinks his teammate will take care of the play instead of adding himself to the pile. Makes a number of shoe-string tackles when facing elusive runners, gives full effort to bring the man down. Doesn't disengage often enough to make tackles against the run but will crash down to close a gap.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Greatest area of strength of this stand-up defensive end. Extremely quick around the corner. Gets skinny to penetrate when shooting the inside gap. Elite closing speed to the quarterback, explodes to drive them into the ground or uses his length to wrap up even the most mobile passers. Dips shoulder to get under the pads of taller tackles, shortening the pocket. Feels cut blocks and uses his hands and quickness to beat them. Good arm-over, spin and outside-in change-up moves to get his man off-balance after turning the corner on previous plays. Average strength and hand usage to free himself after initial contact. Might push man off-balance once getting him moving up the field, but too often stopped after his first move when facing opponents with good lateral movement. Capable of leveraging tackles back into the pocket, but lacks great length or bulk to take on massive NFL tackles.

Intangibles: Maturing as a leader and person throughout his career at A&M. Has no major character or off-field issues. Given one of three team Weightlifter of the Year awards in April 2010. Sprained right ankle hampered him early in 2010, limiting the explosion around which his game is keyed.

--Chad Reuter

Miller, a consensus All-American in 2010, led the Big 12 Conference with 10.5 sacks in 13 games, including 8.5 sacks in Big 12 play to help lead the Aggies to a share of the Big 12 South crown and an appearance in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. A finalist for the Hendricks Award, Miller achieved these accolades despite being injured in the opening series of the 2010 season. The DeSoto High School product was named the defensive team captain by his teammates prior to his senior season. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after the Aggies' victory over Texas during which he picked off the pass to clinch the win, recorded two quarterback sacks and an additional tackle for loss, forced one fumble, recovered one fumble and recorded three additional quarterback pressures. Miller recorded nine tackles against LSU in the Cotton Bowl including three for losses and one quarterback sack.

A first-team All-America selection by Sporting News and Sports Illustrated … became the first Aggie since Jason Webster in 1999 to earn first-team All-America accolades … a second-team All-America selection by The Associated Press and the Walter Camp Football Foundation and a third-team pick by rivals.com … a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 honoree … leads the nation in sacks (17) and is fifth in tackles for loss (1.75/game) after the regular season … has started all 12 games at the hybrid "jack" position … 21 of 44 tackles in 2009 (48 percent) have been for loss … had 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups against No. 3 Texas (11/26) … matched a career high with three TFLs, picked up two sacks and forced a fumble at Colorado (11/7) … had two sacks and two forced fumbles in win at Texas Tech (10/24) … posted 1.5 sacks and broke up a pass at Kansas State (10/17) … recorded five tackles, one for loss, against Oklahoma State (10/10).

Had four stops and a sack against Arkansas (10/3) … was first Aggie in over 20 years to post three or more sacks in consecutive games (Aaron Wallace, 1988) with a trio in each of the first two games of `09 … sacked UAB QB Joe Webb twice and totaled five tackles in win over Blazers (9/26) … recorded three sacks of Utah State QB Diondre Borel in win over Aggies (9/19) … also forced a fumble in the game … sacked New Mexico QB Donovan Porterie three times for a total loss of 22 yards (9/5), one-half sack shy of his entire total in 2008 (3.5) … finished the game with five tackles, four solo … showing the versatility of his new position, was named a finalist for the Hendricks Award (top defensive end) and a semifinalist for the Butkus Award (top collegiate linebacker).

Big play defender saw action in all 12 games while starting four at outside linebacker … notched 44 tackles including 25 solo stops … explosive pass rusher led the team with 3.5 sacks … also logged 7.5 tackles for loss … forced a pair of fumbles and recovered two more … best game came against Miami when he recorded nine tackles including two for loss of yardage … was also a big special teams contributor, posting four tackles on kick coverage units.

Named to the Freshman All-Big 12 team by The Sporting News … posted 22 tackles including 10 solo stops … recorded two quarterback sacks and four tackles for loss … forced a fumble against Nebraska … best game came against Missouri when he recorded five tackles including two tackles for loss and a sack.

Combine: 4.42 40-yard dash; 21 reps at 225 pounds; 37-inch vertical; 10'6" broad jump; 4.06 short shuttle; 6.70-cone drill.

Named the District 8-5A Defensive Most Valuable Player after making 76 tackles, including six sacks and 14 tackles for loss of yardage (TFL), as a senior at DeSoto High School … As a junior, Miller had 37 tackles, seven sacks, 14 TFLs and 12 quarterback hurries … Member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football Super Team (second-team defensive line) … MAROON & WHITE REPORT Texas Top 100 … Rated No. 29 in Texas by Rivals.com (No. 15 weakside linebacker in the nation) … Rated No. 29 in Texas by Scout.com (No. 6 middle linebacker in the nation) … Rated No. 28 in the Southwest Region by SuperPrep. Coached by Dave Meadows at DeSoto High School.

Von Miller is the son of Von and Gloria Miller … born March 26, 1989.