Defensive end prepares for draft

By Chad Husted

Assistant Sports Editor

Growing up, Cliff Avril would have liked to be the future of the Dallas Cowboys' defense.

Unfortunately for the former Boilermaker defensive end, Anthony Spencer took that job last year. But the two former Purdue standouts may still be drawn down similar paths.

Projected by many scouting services as a 'tweener' defensive end/outside linebacker player in the NFL, Avril could expect the same position change that Spencer underwent after being drafted by the Cowboys in the first round last year. Spencer played primarily as a defensive end at Purdue before switching to linebacker in Dallas' 3-4 style defense.

"I feel like I am athletic enough that, if I have to drop back into coverage or pass rush, you know, I could do both," Avril said. "It's just more so being in shape to be able to do it, but for me I think I'm conditioned."

However, the draft experts of the world may be too quick to take the lineman out of a stance. According to Avril's agent, Jim Ivler, Avril has taken several visits to different teams in the league, including teams that run traditional 4-3 defenses similar to Purdue's. Avril has been projected as either an end or a linebacker in these systems, Ivler said.

"It's been a great postseason, and I think that that reflected on where he's going to go on the weekend," Ivler said. "He can flourish in any system that there is."

Even with all of the talk about his rising draft stock, Avril remains content to not dwell on his future fate. Saturday will be spent at his home in Texas, watching the draft with family and close friends rather than in front of the media.

"It's not in my control anymore; I can only worry about what's in my control, that's just me," Avril said. "I'm just trying not to think about it until Saturday and see how it goes."

How the draft goes for Avril will likely be determined by how teams view his work since the Motor City Bowl. Avril followed up his senior year, in which he totaled roughly half of his tackles from his junior year total, with solid showings at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

Avril posted the fastest time for defensive ends in the cone drill at the combine and has spent the remaining time before the draft working out in preparation for camps after the draft.

"I'm just trying to get prepared mentally (for camp) and get right for that," Avril said. "There's no telling where I'll be next week, and I'll just be waiting on it."

Published by the Purdue Exponent on April 24, 2008