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The gravity-defying moves and body-contortion skills came first, followed by the nickname: "Matrix Man," which many Texas A&M teammates have shortened simply to "Matrix."
It refers to the otherworldly strength and flexibility displayed by movie characters in The Matrix, a 1999 sci-fi action thriller. And by Von Miller, who leads the nation in sacks (eight) heading into Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. meeting between A&M (3-0) and Arkansas (1-2) at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.Miller, a junior from DeSoto, has wreaked havoc as a pass rusher from multiple starting points in his hybrid role as a defensive end/outside linebacker in the Aggies’ defense. He’s done so by flashing moves that leave teammates slack-jawed, including shifty tailback Cyrus Gray.Gray said Miller (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) unleashed his "craziest move" during spring drills, when he hurdled a lineman attempting a cut block and redirected his body in midair to gain a better pursuit angle before bringing down the ball carrier."He’s always doing something freaky because he’s so flexible," Gray said. "I don’t see how he can do it. But he has it."A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson called Miller "a freak athlete" who ranks among the team’s fastest players, regardless of position."He’s a big asset for us," Johnson said. "I’m glad he’s on my side."A&M coach Mike Sherman likes to joke that Miller has "destroyed the confidence of our left tackles" because the Aggies have had a different starter at the position in each of the season’s first three games. While other factors have contributed to A&M’s revolving door at its primary pass protector spot, one former left tackle concedes he is glad to be out of Miller’s crosshairs on the practice field."Everybody thinks he just brings speed and quickness and the ability to be flexible and get under blocks," said Michael Shumard, a senior who prefers his new role at left guard."But he’s actually a very strong human being. If you’re going backwards trying to catch up to his speed rush and he plants that right foot and comes after you, you’re going to go down."By combining Miller’s strength and flexibility with his new hybrid position, coaches have created a pass-rushing force that has shattered the glass ceiling of realistic expectations. Through three games, Miller has more than doubled his sack total from last season (3 1/2 ). As a team, the Aggies have 14 sacks, within two of last year’s season total (16).In terms of perspective, A&M leads the nation in sacks (4.67 per game). A year ago, the Aggies ranked 101st nationally and next-to-last among Big 12 teams in that department (1.33 per game).The off-the-charts improvement is significant in the pass-happy Big 12, where the ability to pressure the quarterback is a must for every defense, every week. Miller is making that happen at A&M, with help from Garrick Williams, Sean Porter, Matt Moss and Matt Featherston.But the numbers make it clear. Miller is The Man — the "Matrix Man" — who must carry this defense if the Aggies hope to return to a bowl game after last year’s 4-8 record.
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