Von Miller

Von Miller (born March 26, 1989) is an American football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted second overall by the Broncos in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M.

As a junior at Texas A&M, he led the nation in sacks (17). He compiled another 10.5 sacks his senior year. Over his last two seasons as an Aggie, he recorded 27.5 sacks and 39.5 tackles for loss. He received first team All-American honors for both seasons; as a senior, he was a consensus first team All-American. He also won the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.

Early years
Miller was born in Dallas, Texas to parents Von and Gloria Miller. He attended DeSoto High School, as a junior he recorded 37 tackles, 7 sacks, 14 tackles for loss (TFL) and 12 quarterback hurries. As a senior, he was named the District 8-5A Defensive MVP after making 76 tackles, 6 sacks, and 14 TFL. He played with future Aggie teammates Tony Jerod-Eddie, Cyrus Gray, and Garrick Williams.

Rivals.com rated him as the 29th-best prospect in Texas and the 15th-best weakside linebacker in the nation. Rivals.com listed his weight as 210 pounds.

College career
In 2007, as a freshman at defensive end, he was named Freshman All-Big 12 by The Sporting News after posting 22 tackles, including 10 solo stops. He recorded two sacks, four tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. He played in a 4-2-5 defense. He weighed 220 pounds during his freshman year.

In the spring of 2008, newly hired head coach Mike Sherman was discouraged by Miller's habits of skipping class and failing to produce during practice. Sherman decided to suspend Miller for that spring. Disappointed, Miller considered transferring, but upon his father's insistence, stayed. Miller then adopted a more serious attitude.

As a sophomore in 2008, he played at weakside linebacker under Joe Kines' 4–3 defense. Miller saw action in all 12 games, making 44 tackles, including 25 solo stops, and leading the team with 3.5 sacks. He made 7.5 tackles for loss, forced a pair of fumbles, and recovered two more. His role was more confined to pass coverage, as opposed to rushing the quarterback, thus he wasn't able to showcase his pass-rushing abilities. In the final seven Big 12 games, he compiled just eight tackles.

In 2009, Miller adopted the role of the jack position, a defensive end/linebacker hybrid, which allowed him to utilize his pass rushing abilities. He enjoyed a breakout season for the Aggies, leading the nation in sacks with 17 and ranking fourth in the nation with 21 tackles for loss. For his efforts, Von Miller was named first team All Big-12 at defensive end and was named a first-team All-American by Sporting News and Sports Illustrated. He became the first Aggie to be named a first team All-American since Jason Webster in 1999. Then-Aggies defensive coordinator Joe Kines compared Miller to the late Derrick Thomas. Miller then studied and watched film of Thomas to familiarize himself with his game.

In 2010, Miller switched to playing as a 3–4 outside linebacker under Tim DeRuyter's defense. Early in the season, Miller suffered an ankle/foot injury, but soon recovered. He posted 10.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. He received his second first-team All-Big 12 honors, and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. He was also named a consensus first-team All-American. He received first team All-American honors from Walter Camp, Scout.com, Pro Football Weekly, ESPN.com, and the Associated Press.

Pre-draft
Miller, who likely would have been a second round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft had he passed on his senior season, entered the 2011 NFL Draft regarded as one of the best 3–4 outside linebackers available. He was projected to be a top 5 pick by notable draft evaluators.

At the 2011 Senior Bowl, he was the Defensive MVP.

Among linebackers at the 2011 NFL Combine, he ranked 2nd in the 40-yard dash, 3rd in the vertical jump, 1st in the broad jump, 3rd in the 20-yard shuttle, T-1st in the 3-cone drill, and 1st in the 60-yard shuttle. His 11.15-second 60-yard shuttle broke the combine linebacker record. At the Texas A&M Pro Day in March 2011, Miller ran a 4.49 40-yard dash.

In March 2011, Miller was selected to represent top flight rookies in the NFL Labor Union talks. He was persuaded by LaDainian Tomlinson to join the lawsuit.

In March 2011, Dave Razzano, a former NFL scout with 20 years of experience, compared Miller to Vernon Gholston. Gholston was drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in 2008, but failed to record a sack in 42 games, and was later released. In regards to Miller, Razzano stated: "In looking at Big-12 tape, he does not have a motor. He doesn't chase hard. They run at him, and he doesn't fight off blockers. When he gets sacks, a lot of times he's not getting blocked. He's a one-move guy." During the Texas A&M Pro Day, however, one scout compared him to Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas, while Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer compared him to Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter. NFL Network Analyst Mike Mayock, who rated Miller as the second-best player in the draft, stated that Miller reminds him of a smaller version of DeMarcus Ware. Miller's then-personal trainer, Dan Brandenburg, who also worked with first round picks Clay Matthews III and Sean Weatherspoon, stated Miller is the best athlete of all three. CBSSports.com's Rob Rang believed that Miller will win the Defensive Rookie of the Year honor.

Denver Broncos
Miller was drafted by the Denver Broncos second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He is the highest selected linebacker since LaVar Arrington went No. 2 to the Washington Redskins in the 2000 draft. He also become the Aggies' highest draft pick since Quentin Coryatt, who was selected second overall in 1992. Former Broncos quarterback John Elway, who is also the executive vice president of the franchise, said "[Miller's] a type of guy that comes around every 10 years."

On July 28, 2011, Miller officially signed with the Denver Broncos. He will wear number 58 in honor of his favorite football player, former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas.

Personal
A Dallas native, Miller grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan. Prior to the draft, he aspired to play for the Cowboys.

He is the son of Von and Gloria Miller. His parents, who were both athletes in high school, own a power supply business. He has a younger brother named Vince.