After a productive high school career, Adkins never developed into a standout for the Hurricanes. He wasn't even invited to the scouting combine in February, but impressed scouts from 17 NFL teams who showed up to Miami's pro day just days after the big Indianapolis event.

"I look throughout the league nowadays and there are a lot of dudes who didn't get drafted and are Pro Bowlers. That's the motivation I have," Adkins told The Miami Herald after his pro day workout. "There were a couple questions about if I liked the inside or rushing off the edge. I told them, 'It doesn't matter. Whatever you want me to do I'll be able to do.' I think (Friday) opened up a lot of eyes."

It was the sub-4.5 seconds he ran his 40-yard dash in at his pro day that opened those eyes, as that's rare timed speed for an inside linebacker. However, he lacks assignment discipline, didn't produce great numbers for a program with a long linebacker tradition and will have to make his mark early on special teams to stick in the NFL.

Positives: Bulked up athlete who certainly looks the part. Short, squatty build well suited to playing in close quarters. Rare speed for the position. Legitimate NFL-caliber athlete. Has seen starting action at all three positions. Good, physical hitter who flashes some explosiveness. Has all of the physical attributes scouts are looking for. Obvious special teams potential.

Negatives: Classic case of looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. Struggles locating the ball and too often charges into the line of scrimmage, leaving his teammates in to cover his responsibility. Bit of a 'tweener. Inconsistent in his disengagement from blockers. Hasn't been productive in this scheme despite his athleticism and the alignment designed to take advantage of his tools.

Credited with 41 solo tackles and 23 assisted tackles in 34 career games. … Also posted 10 tackles for lost, one interception and one quarterback hurry. … Named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after picking up two sacks and three tackles in the season opening win over Charleston Southern in 2008.

Played in 10 games … Finished with 17 tackles (13 solo), with six tackles for loss and four sacks … Tied for third on the team in sacks … Played middle linebacker and found a role as pass rusher on third down situations … Named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after picking up two sacks and three tackles in the season opening win over Charleston Southern … Had a season-high four tackles twice against Wake Forest and at NC State.

Played in 11 games, making the first five starts of his career. Finished with a career-high 52 tackles (27 solo), with three tackles for loss, one QB pressure, one sack, one pass defensed and one interception. Ranked eighth on the team in tackles. Played mainly weak-side linebacker, but started one game at the strong side. 9/1 vs. Marshall: Did not start but played as the main weak-side linebacker. Saw action on 34 plays and made no tackles but got the first interception of his career, returning it 13 yards. 9/8 at Oklahoma: Made the first start of his collegiate career at weak-side linebacker. Played 39 downs and totaled eight tackles (four solo). 9/15 vs. Florida International: Played on special teams. 9/20 vs. Texas A&M: Did not start in a nickel defense but played as the main weak-side linebacker on 36 downs, making four tackles (two solo), including an eight-yard sack, the first of his career. 9/29 vs. Duke: Started at weak-side linebacker and played 20 downs, tallying two tackles (one solo). 10/6 at North Carolina: Did not start in a nickel defense but played as the primary weak-side linebacker on 63 plays, making eight tackles (five solo). Also recovered a fumble. 10/13 vs. Georgia Tech: Started at strong-side linebacker and played 78 downs, making nine tackles (three solo), with one tackle for loss, one QB pressure and one pass deflection. 10/20 at Florida State: Did not start but saw extended playing time at weak-side linebacker, making five assisted tackles. 11/3 vs. North Carolina State: Played on special teams only. 11/10 vs. Virginia: Started at weak-side linebacker and played 32 downs, making six tackles (four solo). 11/17 at Virginia Tech: Did not play. 11/24 at Boston College: Did not start in a nickel defense but played as a reserve (no tackles).

Reserve linebacker and special teams performer … Saw playing time in just four games, missing the final five games with a leg injury … Played against Florida State, Florida A&M, FIU and Duke … Saw his most action at Duke, 19 plays at weak-side linebacker, but suffered an injury to his right fibula. For the season, tallied three tackles.

Played in six games as a true freshman, mostly on special teams … Played on special teams vs. Colorado and Duke, then saw his first action at linebacker in a 52-7 victory over Duke … Played on special teams at Temple and then missed four games … Returned to action for the final two games, playing on special teams vs. Virginia and in the Peach Bowl vs. Louisiana State … Did not make any tackles for the season.

2006: Missed the final five games with a leg injury.

Combine: Did not receive an invitation.

Pro Day (from CaneSport): 4.43 seconds in 40-yard dash. … 4.25 short shuttle. … 36.5-inch vertical. … Bench pressed 225 pounds 30 times.

As a senior in 2004, made 11 sacks (four in one game) and 19 tackles for a loss … As a junior, had 80 tackles and 12 sacks, including a great performance in the state title game … Didn't play organized football until high school … Emerged as a defensive end as a sophomore and began playing linebacker as a junior … Rated as the No. 7 outside linebacker in the nation and No. 87 in the nation regardless of position by Rivals.com. Ranked as the No. 62 overall prospect and the No. 10 linebacker by Scout.com … Ranked as the No. 4 prospect in Florida by the Orlando Sentinel, the No. 1 linebacker prospect in the South by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the No. 4 overall prospect by the Tampa Tribune and the No. 48 overall prospect by Tom Lemming … Member of the PrepStar Top 100 Dream Team and the Florida Times-Union Super 75 … Chose Miami over Florida, Florida State and Georgia … Coached by Bill Kramer.

Liberal arts major.