Cliff Avril Scouting Report

Cliff Avril had another outstanding season for the Boilermakers. The 2007 Second Team All Big 10 choice finished his season with 41 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. Avril is not only a pass rusher for Purdue, he showed he can be just as useful defending passes by breaking up 5 attempts and picking off 1 pass this year. Avril has started 36 of the 49 contests he's played in his career. He came to Purdue as an outside linebacker, where he played 26 games during his first 3 years. Avril was asked to make the transition to defensive end four games into the 2006 season and has started 23 straight games on the defensive line since making the switch. Avril has tallied 194 tackles in his four seasons, with 35.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 2 interceptions, 12 passes broken up in coverage, and 7 forced fumbles. Avril is carrying on the tradition of great defensive ends from Purdue in the past few years, including Anthony Spencer, Shaun Phillips, Rosevelt Colvin. Like all of his fellow Boilermakers, Avril will likely end up back at outside linebacker in the NFL. He is a fantastic speed rusher and would be a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense. However, many teams may still consider him as a 4-3 defensive end. He is slightly undersized, but a sound tackler who can play the run. Avril will likely go in the third or fourth round of this year's draft. Cliff Avril played well at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. He registered 2 tackles and looked good against several top tier offensive linemen. Avril's coaches were impressed with his pass rushing moves during drills. If he can impress scouts during the combine, he could easily improve his draft stock. Cliff Avril was one of several Big Ten prospects to show up at the NFL Combine and show that he was far more athletic than anticipated. Avril ran a 4.51 40 yard dash, which was one of the fastest times by a front seven defender. He managed just 17 reps on the bench press, but Avril showed off his athleticism during the other combine events. Avril has moved up draft boards and will likely go at the end of round two or the top of round three. Cliff Avril solidified his draft status at Purdue's pro day in West Lafayette. Avril looked good running position drills as both a defensive end and as an outside linebacker. Avril also displayed a 36 1/2 inch vertical leap. He also got a chance to display his change of direction speed in the short shuttle, finishing it in 4.31 seconds. Avril will be drafted in the mid-to-late second round.