Allen Bailey, DE

A highly-touted prep linebacker, Bailey has built himself into one of the nation's most intriguing defensive line prospects, carrying the Miami tradition of supplying talented big men to the NFL.

After seeing most of his playing time as a true freshman on special teams, Bailey emerged as a quality contributor in 2008, starting four of 12 games and registering 36 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and five sacks - each of which led the team.

Despite flipping between end and tackle in 2009, Bailey once again led the 'Canes in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (seven) in 2009, earning first-team All-ACC honors. Bailey matched his previous career highs with 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2010, earning second-team All-ACC honors.

However, Bailey remains very much an enigma to pro scouts, who love his versatility and work ethic but are still deciding where he fits best on an NFL roster. Bailey lacks the elite speed off the edge teams prefer outside and isn't currently stout enough to hold up inside. While he certainly looks the part, Bailey isn't an instinctive or technically refined player. His senior campaign is the first in which he's started every game and he only has 26 starts (in 50 games) for his career.

Scouts can't help but acknowledge Bailey's upside, but he's a much rawer prospect than his hype would lead you to believe.

Pass rush: At least moderate initial burst off the snap. Enough speed to challenge the offensive tackle's outside shoulder, but isn't a speed rusher capable of turning the corner consistently. Flashes some counter moves, including a swim technique, but doesn't use it often enough. Relies mostly on his speed and a bull-rush to pressure the quarterback. Long arms, and is able to keep blockers away from his frame. Good lateral agility, balance and surprising speed to chase down the passer if given a lane. Has to do a better job of getting his hands up in the passing lanes.

Run defense: Has good upper- and lower-body strength to hold up at the point of attack against the run. Good stack and shed defender capable of disengaging from blocks quickly due to good hand strength and lateral agility. Has to do a better job of cutting outside to control the edge and keep contain. Improved as the 2009 season went on in this way. Good effort to pursue laterally. Has to do a better job of protecting his legs from cut-blocks.

Explosion: Moderate initial quickness off the snap. Flashes some explosiveness with his upper-body strength and his ability to quickly stack and shed blocks, but must become more consistent in this area. Can be an explosive hitter, especially when he's able to build momentum and crash into ballcarriers while in pursuit.

Strength: Does a nice job of maintaining good pad level at the point of attack. Gets under the pads of the pass blocker and can walk him deep into the pocket. Good upper-body strength to stack and control his assignment up front. Flashes an explosive shove to disengage. Good lower-body strength to anchor.

Tackling: Classic catch and drag-down tackler. Has a burst to close and flashes some pop when given space to gain momentum. Provides good effort laterally, but isn't able to stalk the ballcarrier, showing only moderate body control to break down in space and limited top-end speed.

Intangibles: Grew up in a town (Hog Hammock) of roughly 80 people on isolated Sapelo Island approximately 15 miles off the coast of Georgia. Highly respected by the Miami coaching staff for his willingness to switch positions for the betterment of the team. Was a highly-touted linebacker prospect who has grown into a 288-pound defensive tackle. Owns one of college football's more imposing physiques. Missed all but four games of his senior season in high school due to stress fracture in his back that will require a close look by NFL doctors at the Combine.

--Rob Rang

Played in 50 games in his career (2007-10), tied for the third-most in school history and only two less than all-time leader Brandon Meriweather (2002-06) … Named All-ACC twice in his career, earning first team honors as a junior and second team honors as a senior … Started 27 games in his career (4 in 2008; 10 in 2009; 13 in 2010) … Wrapped up his career with 103 total tackles (55 UA, 39 A) … Recorded 12 sacks for a loss of 112 yards in his career … Tallied 31 tackles behind the line (9 in 2008; 11 in 2009 and 2010) for a total loss of 183 yards … Named the team's Strength Training Athlete of the Year his junior and senior seasons … Recorded 18 quarterback hurries in his career, including 14 his sophomore season in 2008 … Forced two fumblesin his career (both came his junior year) … Recorded a career-high 3.5 sacks against North Carolina on Oct. 23, 2010 and finished the game with a career-high tying six total tackles.

Started all 13 of Miami's games, playing mostly as a defensive end while also moving inside on some third down situations … Recorded a team-high seven sacks - and 11 tackles for a loss - for the second straight season … . His 11 tackles behind the line accounted for a total loss of 50 yards, the second-highest mark on the team behind Sean Spence's 61 yards (17 TFL) … Led all UM defensive lineman and ranked seventh on the UM defense with 45 tackles (21 UA, 24 A) … Tallied a career-best six tackles on three occasions (at Ohio State; vs. North Carolina; at Virginia) … Recorded a career-high 3.5 sacks (-13 yards) against UNC on Oct. 23 … Also had sacks against Pittsburgh (1.0), Duke (1.0), Maryland (1.0) and Georgia Tech (0.5) … Tied a career-high with four solo tackles in win at Pitt, finishing the game against the Panthers with five total tackles … Tied for third on the team with three quarterback hurries … Averaged 4.6 tackles per game in true road games, compared to 2.8 in home contests … Was named the Strength Training Athlete of the Year at the team's annual awards banquet on Dec. 12.

Led the `Canes in sacks (7.0) and tackles for a loss (11.0) … Played both defensive tackle and defensive end during the season … Led all UM defensive linemen with 34 total tackles on the year … Ranked fourth in the ACC in sacks per game (0.58) and tied for seventh in tackles for a loss per game (0.92) … Named First Team All-ACC at defensive tackle by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association, Rivals.com and Phil Steele … Was awarded the Strength Training Athlete of the Year at the team's annual awards banquet on Dec. 6 … Recorded a career-high tying two sacks in back-to-back games vs. Clemson and at Wake Forest … Also set career-highs for total tackles (5 at Wake Forest and at USF) and tackles for a loss (3.0 vs. Clemson and at Wake Forest) … Forced fumbles versus Oklahoma and Clemson … His forced fumble versus Clemson was returned by teammate Marcus Robinson for a 53-yard touchdown … Over the final six games of the regular season, tallied 19 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks and a forced fumble … Started 10 of his 13 games played.

Played in 12 games with four starts at defensive end … Played defensive tackle in some third down situations … Led the team with five sacks and tied for the team-lead with nine tackles for loss … Registered 36 tackles (16 solo, 20 assisted) … Posted a career-high four tackles twice - at Texas A&M and at NC State … Recorded two sacks in win against UCF … Also had sacks at Virginia, against Virginia Tech and at NC State … Had two tackles for loss twice, first against UCF and again at NC State … Made starts against UCF, at Duke and at NC State.

True freshman who played in all 12 games, practically all of it on special teams. Saw action at linebacker in one game. 9/1 vs. Marshall: Played on special teams in his first collegiate game. 9/8 at Oklahoma: Played on special teams. 9/15 vs. Florida International: Played on special teams. 9/20 vs. Texas A&M: Played on special teams and saw his first collegiate action on defense, playing two downs (no tackles). 9/29 vs. Duke: Played on special teams. 10/6 at North Carolina: Played on special teams. 10/13 vs. Georgia Tech: Played on special teams. 10/20 at Florida State: Played on special teams. 11/3 vs. North Carolina State: Played on special teams. 11/10 vs. Virginia: Played on special teams. 11/17 at Virginia Tech: Played on special teams. 11/24 at Boston College: Played on special teams.

High School: Missed all but four games as a senior due to a stress fracture in his back.

One of the nation's most sought-after defenders … Recruited as a linebacker but could eventually play defensive end … Relentless player who patterns his play after former Hurricane Ray Lewis … Punishing linebacker who has great work habits … As a senior i