Anyone that has watched Big 12 football over the past few seasons new that Texas A&M linebacker, Von Miller, and Missouri defensive end, Aldon Smith, had a chance to really good NFL players. But this good, this fast?
Miller was selected second overall by the Broncos and he well worth the high selection finishing with 64 tackles and 11.5 sacks. He often looked like the best player on the field which earned him a spot on this year's Pro Bowl team as a rookie.
He decimated Big 12 offenses during his Aggie career with resulted in 32.5 sacks, and it looks like NFL teams are having just as much trouble slowing him down.
It's only one season, but it's not hard to envision Miller being one of the best linebackers in the game for a very long time.
Smith wasn't far behind Miller in the draft being selected seventh overall. His success may have come as a bit more of surprise to some, however. He only played two seasons for Missouri leaving after his redshirt sophomore season, and there were those that believed he could use another year of development in Columbia.
Smith obviously knew he was ready for the big time and now his decision looks like an absolute slam dunk. He finished with 14 sacks on the year which was good for fifth among all NFL players.
Miller and Smith are two of the five players up for the award joining Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, and Patrick Peterson. You can vote for your choice on the NFL's website and check out of few more vids, as well.
I'll go with Miller but you can make a case for any of the five. What do you say?
