Cameron Sheffield, OLB

Teammate Brandon Lang received more attention while Sheffield operated in relative anonymity outside of the Sun Belt Conference for much of his career.

Sheffield earned first-team all-Sun Belt honors in 2008 with 66 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and six sacks while playing opposite Lang at left defensive end. Sheffield posted nearly identical numbers in 2009 with 66 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks, earning his second first-team all-conference spot by league coaches and getting invited to the Senior Bowl. It was in Mobile that Sheffield's career may have taken a different turn.

Rarely asked to drop into coverage while at Troy, Sheffield showed surprising fluidity and awareness lined up as a linebacker during Senior Bowl practices. He followed that up with another strong performance during the game when back at defensive end, registering three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

If Sheffield can follow up his impressive showing in Mobile with good workouts, he could make a late charge up draft boards as one of the more intriguing hybrid pass-rushers of the 2010 draft.

Read & React: A disciplined defender who understands his containment responsibilities and has enough quickness, lateral agility and strength to stretch the runner wide. Good burst upfield as a pass rusher, but quickly recognizes the screen and draw, showing the ability to re-direct inside. Grabs hold of the back on the screen and kills the play. Improved his recognition of passing lanes and the impact he can have by getting his hands up as a senior, recording a career-high six PBUs.

Run defense: Lacks the bulk to remain at defensive end full-time in the NFL, but is stronger than his size might suggest. Plays with good pad level and has the strength in his upper and lower to stack and shed the block. Surprising lateral agility to elude blockers in space. Breaks down well and has a burst to change directions and better straight-line speed than he's given credit for. Good hustle downfield.

Pass defense: Was rarely asked to drop back into coverage while at Troy, but proved surprisingly nimble and alert as an outside linebacker at the Senior Bowl. High in his backpedal, but was smoother than expected turning and showed good straight-line speed to trail the tight end down the sideline. Raw, but has some legitimate upside here.

Tackling: Shows the body control to handle the transition to linebacker. Breaks down well in space for a career defensive end, showing the patience and quick feet to tackle elusive ballcarriers on the edge. Good size and strength to take down bigger ballcarriers. Prefers to wrap up securely and will do so when he can, but will use his long arms to trip up the ballcarrier when forced to make the diving attempt.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Not surprisingly, one of his better areas. Though he doesn't possess a truly explosive burst out of his three-point stance, he does have the quick step to force the tackle back on his heels and the agility to re-direct inside. Good strength for the bull-rush. Has shown a great deal of improvement throughout his career in terms of getting his hands up in the passing lanes -- posting one PBU in 2007, three in 2008 and six in 2009 …

Intangibles: Shy and reserved. A very humble and team-oriented player that the coaches rave about. Will have to have his wrist checked out at the Combine after breaking it during a pick-up basketball game prior to the 2008 season.

Sheffield, a native of Portal, Ga., ranks fifth on the team in total tackles with 62, which includes 10.5 TFL and seven sacks and he ranks second on the squad with 26 QB hurries on the year

First team All-Sun Belt. Is an all-around playmaker for the Trojans' top-ranked defensive unit … Finished the season ranked sixth in the league in sacks, fourth in tackles for loss and third in forced fumbles … He was credited with 66 total tackles (coaches film) on the year, with 12.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks … Finished second on the team with 25 QB hurries and had three PBU … Forced three fumbles, recovered two and blocked a field goal against ULL that was returned for a Troy touchdown … One of his forced fumbles, against MTSU, was returned 67 yards to set up a Troy FG … Was selected as Troy's defensive player of the game three times, for his performances against FIU, ULM and Arkansas State … Against FIU he had 10 tackles, three for loss including two sacks, forced and recovered a fumble and had a season-high six QB hurries … Against ULM he had a career-high 15 tackles, two for loss, with three QB hurries and a PBU … Had eight tackles, two for loss, and two hurries against ASU.

Saw action in all 12 games, starting 11 at defensive end … Was credited with 27 total tackles on the season … Posted a season-high five stops in the win over Western Kentucky … Was credited with a forced fumble in the game at ULL … Had 1.5 sacks on the year for eight yards … Was credited with 3.5 tackles for loss … Was also credited with one pass breakup.

Saw action in nine games as a reserve defensive lineman … Was credited with four tackles on the year, two for loss … Recorded his first collegiate sack in the New Orleans Bowl against Rice … Recorded an interception in the win over Florida International … Had three pass breakups for the season.

Played defensive end and tight end for Coach Pat Collins at Portal High … Was a first team All-State pick by both the GACA and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and was a three-time first team All-Region pick … Was named to the WTOC Super 11 team and was selected to play in the GACA North-South All-Star game … As a senior recorded 74 tackles and 11 sacks … Had 51 tackles, six sacks and seven forced fumbles as a junior … Also played basketball scoring more than 1,000 career points with more than 1,000 rebounds … Averaged 13.7 points, 11 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game during his senior season … Was twice named All-Region in basketball and was named team Defensive MVP for four straight seasons.

Full name is Cameron Corley Sheffield … Was born on February 12, 1988 … Is the son of Inez and Frank Sheffield … Has two brothers, Vernon (38) and Travalian (24), and two sisters, Yolanda (33) and Santrissa (26) … Chose Troy over Georgia Southern and Middle Tennessee … Is undecided on a major.