Next in line at linebacker

INDIANAPOLIS -- Purdue defensive end Cliff Avril is the latest in a long line of Boilermakers' defensive ends who projects to be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. Purdue has produced several top 3-4 rushers, including Patriots outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips.

The 6-3, 253-pound Avril, who said he's met or is going to meet with all the 3-4 teams here at the combine, including the Patriots, feels he's capable of continuing that tradition.

"Most definitely, I feel like the only difference between me and those guys was that I played linebacker before. I feel like I have at least that step ahead of them. I feel like I'll be able to do the same thing they did."

Avril, who was an All Big-Ten first-team selection this season, actually was a linebacker his first two and a half seasons at Purdue before being switched to defensive end.

Avril had a great line about what the combine is like for prospective prospects.

"The combine is a big Olympic Trial I guess you could say for football players," he said.