The five-best linebackers invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks gets read to run a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. Stanford won 31-10. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Duke wide receiver Donovan Varner (26) runs for a first down as Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) goes in for the tackle during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, in Miami. Miami defeated Duke 49-14. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
TCU linebacker Paul Dawson (47) stands on the field looking to the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) in the first half during the Cactus Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Clemson's Vic Beasley (3) looks to make a play against Oklahoma during the first half of the Russell Athletic Bowl NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Dec. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Related Links
ARTICLES
> Mailbag: Shocking seasons
> Getting to know Shepard
> Cheerleader auditions
> Koetter on offense
> Farewell from Darla Faye
> [A Valentine's Day surprise
](http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/A-Valentines-Surprise-from-Captain-Fear/332914df-ee87-4ef8-93ae-fb1f4fba23dc)
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
PLAYERS INVITED:35MORE: WIDE RECEIVERS, DEFENSIVE BACKS, OFFENSIVE LINEMEN, TIGHT ENDS, DEFENSIVE LINEMEN, QUARTERBACKS, RUNNING BACKSLEADING THE PACK: Clemson's Vic Beasley will run with the defensive linemen at the Combine, but his size (6-2, 236) suggests that he may be a better fit at linebacker at the next level. On the matter, NFL.com's Mike Huguenin wrote, "While Beasley is an end at Clemson, there is no call for a 235- or 240-pound end in the NFL. Instead, Beasley is going to have to transition to outside linebacker, likely in a 3-4 defense; in that scheme, he still would be allowed to do what he does best -- rush the passer." Regardless of where he plays, Beasley has proven to be one of, if not the most dominant pass rusher in college football. He recorded 33 sacks at Clemson in addition to 101 tackles. In each of his final 15 games he recorded a tackle for a loss. Experts believe he could be among the top 10 players selected in this year's NFL Draft. Washington's Shaq Thompson is the only other first-round linebacker prospect entering the Combine.
TOP 5 LINEBACKERS (Projected round)
1. Vic Beasley, Clemson (1)
2. Shaq Thompson, Washington (1)
3. PJ Dawson, TCU (2)
4. Denzel Perryman, Miami (2)
5. Eric Kendricks, UCLA (2)
LINEBACKERS
| Kwon Alexander, LSU Stephone Anthony, Clemson Neiron Ball, Florida Tannik Cudjoe-Virgil, Maryland Aaron Davis, Colorado State PJ Dawson, TCU Trey Depriest, Alabama Xzavier Dickson, Alabama Bud Dupree, Kentucky Alani Fua, BYU Geneo Grissom, Oklahoma Obum Gwacham, Oregon State Bryce Hager, Baylor Ben Heeney, Kansas Amarlo Herrera, Georgia Jordan Hicks, Texas Mike Hull, Penn State | AJ Johnson, Tennessee Taiwan Jones, Michigan State Eric Kendricks, UCLA Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State Mark Nzeosha, Wyoming Denzel Perryman, Miami HP Pullard, USC Edmond Robinson, Newberry Jake Ryan, Michigan Martrell Spaight, Arkansas JR Tavai, USC Shaw Thompson, Washington Max Valles, Virginia Tony Washington, Oregon Damien Wilson, Minnesota Ramik Wilson, Georgia |
SENIOR BOWL
