With the offensive side of the ball having gone through the gauntlet that is the NFL combine, it's time for the defense to get their time in the spotlight. Today will mark as an opportunity for linebackers and defensive linemen to showcase their talents in hopes of increasing their chances of hearing their names called by the NFL in April. For Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil, that stage is set to make a positive impression two months before draft weekend.
Cudjoe-Virgil made his mark at Maryland by being an edge rusher and by wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. Being labeled as an edge rusher has its downsides. Many NFL draft experts question the coverage ability of Cudjoe-Virgil, which is a main reason why the former Terrapin is not highly rated in mock drafts.
This year's crop of linebackers are led by TCU's Phil Dawson, Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney and Miami's Denzel Perryman. Terps fans may remember Perryman from Maryland's tenure in the ACC. Perryman has great natural instincts and fundamentally sound tackling ability, but measuring at 5'11" will cost him in the eyes of NFL decision makers.
Here is the viewing guide of day 5:
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
When: 9 a.m. ET-4 p.m. ET & 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
Here is the list of all linebackers that will be participating in today's workouts with their number, Last name, First name, school and group number
# Name School Group
LB01 Alexander, Kwon LSU 09
LB02 Anthony, Stephone Clemson 09
LB03 Ball, Neiron Florida 09
LB04 Cudjoe-Virgil, Yannik Maryland 09
LB05 Davis, Aaron Colorado St. 09
LB06 Dawson, Paul TCU 09
LB07 Depriest, Trey Alabama 09
LB08 Dickson, Xzavier Alabama 09
LB09 Dupree, Alvin "Bud" Kentucky 09
LB10 Fua, Alani BYU 09
LB11 Grissom, Geneo Oklahoma 09
LB12 Owacham, Obum Oregon St. 09
LB13 Hager, Bryce Baylor 09
LB14 Heeney, Ben Kansas 09
LB15 Herrera, Amarlo Georgia 09
LB16 Hicks, Jordan Texas 09
LB17 Hull, Mike Penn St. 09
LB19 Jones, Taiwan Michigan St. 09
LB20 Kendricks, Eric UCLA 09
LB21 Kikaha, Hau'oli Washington 09
LB22 Mauldin, Lorenzo Louisville 09
LB23 McKinney, Bernardick Mississippi St. 09
LB24 Nzeocha, Mark Wyoming 09
LB25 Perryman, Denzel Miami (FL) 09
LB26 Pullard, Hayes Southern Cal 09
LB27 Robinson, Edmond Newberry 09
LB28 Ryan, Jake Michigan 09
LB29 Spaight, Martrell Arkansas 09
LB30 Tavai, J.R. Southern Cal 09
LB31 Thompson, Shaq Washington 09
LB32 Valles, Max Virginia 09
LB33 Washington, Tony Oregon 09
LB34 Wilson, Damien Minnesota 09
LB35 Wilson, Ramik Georgia 09