He takes a three-point stance on some plays, and stands straight up on others. He can usually be found just outside the linemen, unless he’s dropped back into coverage or parked in the middle of the defense.

Wherever he is, Von Miller is bound to make a play for Texas A&M.

“I think the name Jack is pretty good — kind of a jack of all things,” Miller said of his new position this season, a hybrid between defensive end and outside linebacker. “I feel most comfortable coming off of the edge and rushing the quarterback.”

Texas A&M's Von Miller could be a threat to disrupt the Tech passing game by adding a little extra pressure in the backfield.

Indeed, Miller has emerged as one of the nation’s premier pass-rushers this season. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior from DeSoto leads the NCAA with 10 sacks — he’s had at least one in five of the Aggies’ six games this year — and 121/2 of his 28 tackles have come behind the line of scrimmage.

Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman hopes Miller is just as disruptive today against Texas Tech, saying his ability to harass Red Raiders quarterback Taylor Potts is a “major factor in our game plan.

“We need him to have a great game, there’s no question about that,” Sherman said. “They have those big old tackles, and they take big splits to try to create some separation from their quarterback. The drops by the quarterback, they get the ball out quick and they don’t normally take sacks. So it’s important for us to have him be able to get off on the ball being snapped and creating some type of tempo issue for their offense.”

Miller, who had only 66 tackles and 51/2 sacks over the last two seasons, has been much better at that this fall. He credits his increased production to the versatile position created for him by Sherman and defensive coordinator Joe Kines, while Sherman said it’s more about Miller evolving in his own right.

Sherman said Miller “really came on” in the spring and proved he could handle the new assignment, and he hasn’t slowed down since.

“I think he’s made a lot of progress,” Sherman said. “I think he has a bright future and will continue to get better. I thought that his run defense has improved as much as anything, which was important for us.”

Miller’s defensive dominance hasn’t always translated into victories, though. The Aggies raced out to a 3-0 start, but they’ve since lost three straight games and given up an average of more than 48 points per game in those losses.

Miller said he would “much rather be undefeated and have only one or two sacks,” so he’s more concerned with helping the Aggies pick up their first Big 12 Conference win today.

“Nobody likes to lose, and the chip on our shoulder is even bigger now,” Miller said. “I think we’re going to respond very well.”

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