April 28, 2011
NEW YORK --- Texas A&M All-American linebacker Von Miller is expected to become the first Aggie selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2003 when the first round kicks off at 7 p.m. (central) on Thursday at Radio City Music Hall.
Miller, a consensus All-American and the 2010 Butkus Award winner, has been projected as a top five selection by a variety of mock drafts. He could become A&M's highest draft pick since linebacker Quentin Coryatt was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in 1992 by the Indianapolis Colts. The second overall pick is the highest ever by an Aggie, and it's been done three times — by Coryatt, 1957 Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow in 1958 and John Kimbrough in 1941. Thirteen Aggies have been selected in the top 10 of the NFL Draft.
Texas A&M has had 28 players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, with the most recent first-rounders being Ty Warren and Sammy Davis in the 2003 draft. Warren was selected No. 13 overall by the New England Patriots, while Davis went No. 30 to the San Diego Chargers. Since 1975, at least one Aggie has been selected in the NFL Draft in 25 of 26 possible years with the lone no-pick year in 2007.
After leading the nation with 17 quarterback sacks as a junior in 2009, Miller made the decision to return to Texas A&M for his senior campaign. It was an excellent decision for Miller and the Aggies as the defensive playmaker helped bring the “Wrecking Crew” back to Texas A&M. Miller led the Big 12 with 10.5 quarterback sacks despite having a slow start due to an early season ankle sprain. After not logging any sacks in the first four games of the season, Miller posted all 10.5 sacks in the final eight games of 2010, including at least one in the final six games of the season.
He finished the year with 68 total tackles, including 38 solo stops, 17.5 tackles for losses, 10.5 QBS, an interception and six other passes batted down, three forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles. Miller compiled 33 career sacks, which is No. 4 in school history behind Aaron Wallace (42, 1986-89), Jacob Green (37, 1977-79) and John Roper (36, 1985-88).
Other Aggies who could hear their names called during the 2011 NFL Draft, which runs Thursday through Saturday, include 2010 senior starters Matt Allen (center), Michael Hodges (linebacker), Jerrod Johnson (quarterback) and Lucas Patterson (defensive line).
Allen earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in his first year at the all-important center position on the Aggies' offensive front. He started all 13 games for the Aggies in 2010.
Hodges also earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after leading the Aggies with 115 tackles and posting six double-digit tackle games in 2010. A first-team Academic All-American, Hodges earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors twice last season – after making 14 tackles against Nebraska and after making 19 tackles against Oklahoma.
Johnson started 30 games (29 as QB, 1 as WR) and finished his career as A&M's career leader in completions (650), attempts (1,109), passing yards (8,011), passing touchdowns (67), touchdown responsibility (83), total offense (8,888) and 300-yard passing games (12). Other records set by the 2010 team captain include single game total offense (487 vs. Kansas State in 2008), consecutive passes without an interception (242), consecutive games with at least one TD pass (24), and single game completion percentage (79.5 percent on 31-39 passing vs. Iowa State in 2009, min. 30 attempts).
Three-year defensive line starter Patterson moved to defensive end as a senior and responded with second-team All-Big 12 season. He contributed 46 tackles, including 5 tackles for loss of yardage.
Aggies in the Top 10 of NFL Draft First Round
1994 Sam Adams, DL, 8th, Seattle Seahawks
1992 Quentin Coryatt, LB, 2nd, Indianapolis Colts
1990 Richmond Webb, OL, 9th, Miami Dolphins
1985 Ray Childress, DL, 3rd, Houston Oilers
1980 Curtis Dickey, RB, 5th, Baltimore Colts
1980 Jacob Green, DL, 10th, Seattle Seahawks
1976 Bubba Bean, RB, 9th, Atlanta Falcons
1970 Larry Stegent, RB, 8th, St. Louis Cardinals
1958 John David Crow, RB, 2nd, St. Louis Cardinals
1958 Charlie Krueger, OL, 9th, San Fransisco 49ers
1949 Bob Goode, RB, 8th, Washington Redskins
1941 John Kimbrough, RB, 2nd, St. Louis Cardinals
1941 Jim Thomason, RB, 5th, Detroit Lions