ISU’s Miller makes switch to the middle

AMES - After each game, Iowa State football coaches put together performance-grading sheets determining how well each member of the team played.

In Jevohn Miller's case, he was feeling pretty good after looking at his sheet, considering his switch in positions.

'There's things I need to work on and I think that's just going to come with more reps and seeing more out there on the field,” Miller said.

The Brooklyn, Iowa, native and former BGM prep standout made the switch from weakside linebacker to middle linebacker after the Cyclones' first and second games. The decision to move Miller to the middle against Kansas State made a noticeable improvement with the senior recording a team-high 11 tackles.

Sophomore Luke Knott filled in at weakside linebacker. The two had been learning the weakside position alongside one another for two years and when Miller was informed he would be moved to the middle, Knott didn't see his teammate hesitate.

'He had a head on approach about it and watched tons of film because you can only practice for so long,” Knott said. 'So being in the film room definitely helped him a lot. That's another thing about communication, if you know what the (weakside) is doing, you have an idea about what you're supposed to do. So that probably helped him, as well.”

Not only did teammates and coaches see willingness in Miller, they also noticed a more vocal presence.

Miller has played alongside the likes of A.J. Klein and Jeremiah George - both of whom are on NFL rosters - as well as Jake Knott.

Coach Paul Rhoads did not always see that leadership quality in his new middle linebacker, but does now.

'I wouldn't have seen that in Jevohn and right now, without question, he and Cory Morrissey are the leaders of our defense,” Rhoads said.

'He responded real well and the kids responded to him,” defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. 'He's just got to keep improving and doing those kinds of things.”

With one game under his belt at middle linebacker - and as a senior on the team - Miller understands his role in the success of Iowa State's defense is helping his teammates and being more vocal.

'You have to be a leader,” Miller said. 'I know I'm one of the guys out there with more experience than others and I'm trying to lead by example.”

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