Von Miller

Vonnie B'VSean Miller (born March 26, 1989) is an American professional football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Miller played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, where he earned consensus All-American honors and the 2010 Butkus Award. He was selected by the Denver Broncos with the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

Miller has been a seven-time All-Pro selection and eight-time Pro Bowl selection during his career. As of 2024, he has the most career sacks of any active player and the most career sacks in Broncos history with 110.5. At the conclusion of the 2015 NFL season, Miller was named Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl 50. In 2021, Miller was traded to the Los Angeles Rams and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl LVI. Miller later played with the Buffalo Bills from 2022 to 2024.

Early life

Miller was born on March 26, 1989, in DeSoto, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. He attended DeSoto High School, where he played for the DeSoto Eagles high school football team and ran track. In his junior year, he recorded 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 12 quarterback hurries. As a senior, he was named the District 8-5A Defensive MVP after making 76 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks. He played with future Aggie teammate Cyrus Gray.

In track and field, Miller competed in events such as the 110 m hurdles (personal record (PR) of 14.38 s), triple jump (PR of 12.65 m), and javelin throw (PR of 37.24 m). Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Miller was listed as the number-15 weakside defensive end in the nation in 2007. He chose Texas A&M over offers from Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech.

College career

Miller attended Texas A&M University, where he played for the Texas A&M Aggies football team from 2007 to 2010. As a freshman at defensive end in 2007, 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 spring 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, Miller played at weakside linebacker under Joe Kines's 4–3 defense. He 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 two fumbles, and recovered two more. His role was more confined to pass coverage, as opposed to rushing the quarterback, thus he was not able to showcase his pass-rushing abilities. In his final seven Big 12 games, he compiled just eight tackles.

As a junior in 2009, Miller adopted the role of the jack position, a defensive end/linebacker hybrid, which allowed him to use 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.

As a senior in 2010, Miller switched to playing as a 3–4 outside linebacker under Tim DeRuyter's defense. Early in the season, Miller suffered a high ankle sprain that held him back for the first six games. He posted 10.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. Again he made 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. Miller graduated with a degree in poultry science and raises chickens in his spare time.

Professional career

Miller was projected to be a second-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft had he passed on his senior season. He entered the 2011 NFL draft regarded as one of the best 3–4 outside linebackers available by NFL draft experts and scouts and was projected to be a top five draft pick. At the 2011 Senior Bowl, Miller was the Defensive MVP. Among linebackers at the 2011 NFL Combine, Miller ranked second in the 40-yard dash, third in the vertical jump, first in the broad jump, third in the 20-yard shuttle, tied for first in the three-cone drill, and first 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-second 40-yard dash.

In March 2011, Miller was selected to represent top-flight rookies in the NFL Labor Union talks. He was persuaded by former NFL running back LaDainian Tomlinson to join the lawsuit. During the Texas A&M Pro Day, 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 reminded 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.

Denver Broncos

2011

Miller was selected by the Denver Broncos second overall in the 2011 NFL draft. He was the highest-selected linebacker since LaVar Arrington went number two to the Washington Redskins in 2000. He also became the Aggies' highest draft pick since Quentin Coryatt, who was selected second overall in 1992. The selection of Miller surprised certain experts. Denver was switching from a 3–4 defense to a 4–3, a defense which seemed counterintuitive to Miller's strengths. Former Broncos quarterback John Elway, who is also the executive vice president of the franchise, said Miller is "a type of guy that comes around every 10 years". On July 28, 2011, Miller signed his rookie contract. He wore number 58 in honor of Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas.

On September 12, 2011, in his first career play from scrimmage, Miller forced a fumble against the Oakland Raiders. On September 18, 2011, he had his first sack on Andy Dalton when the Broncos played the Cincinnati Bengals.

Miller was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 11 performance against the New York Jets. The Broncos made the playoffs and faced off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round. In his playoff debut, Miller had three solo tackles and one quarterback hit in the 29–23 overtime victory. In the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots, he had two quarterback hits in the 45–10 loss.

Miller was selected to the 2012 Pro Bowl and was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Overall, in 907 snaps, he recorded 11.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits and 29 quarterback hurries. He was fined three times during the season. He was ranked 52nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.

2012

Miller got off to a quick start in his second season, registering 10 sacks in nine games. In this period, he recorded 30 quarterback hurries, more than he had during his entire 2011 campaign. Thanks to this tremendous start, he was considered an MVP candidate. On November 16, he was fined $21,000 for a hit on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in week 10. He received his second career AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor after recording three sacks and two forced fumbles against the San Diego Chargers the following week. For his efforts during November, he was awarded AFC Defensive Player of the Month. On December 26, 2012, he was announced the starting outside linebacker in the AFC division for the 2013 Pro Bowl. Miller finished the season third in sacks with 18+1⁄2, breaking a Denver Broncos record of 17 previously held by Elvis Dumervil. He also capped off the 2012 season finishing second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year and being named first-team All-Pro. In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Miller had nine total tackles and two quarterback hits in the 38–35 2OT loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

In 2012, Miller teamed up with Ubisoft, makers of the video game The Hip Hop Dance Experience, to create his own sack celebration dance called the "DeSoto Shuffle" that was inspired by the video game. Each time he performed the dance during a game, Ubisoft made a charitable donation to Von's Vision, a foundation devoted to providing eye care and glasses to underprivileged youth. He was ranked 9th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.