2015 Draft Spotlight: Kentucky OLB Bud Dupree

Kentucky Wildcats outside linebacker/defensive end Alvin "Bud" Dupree returned to school for his senior season, hoping to further solidify his case that he belongs in the National Football League. In 2014, he produced better numbers than during his junior season, including more tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, and he scored on a game-winning pick-six return. In four years on campus, Dupree totaled 23.5-career sacks. "Bud brings an awful lot of value to a team," Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops told the Louisville Courier-Journal. "He's a guy that brings great value because for us, he could have played Sam (strong-side linebacker), Mike (middle), Will (weak-side) or Jack (end/outside hybrid). Or, if we were in four-down (situations), he could have played either end." Following his playing career at Kentucky, Dupree accepted an invite to the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine as a linebacker. He went on to show talent evaluators the speed he has to cover ground, recording a 4.56-sec. 40-yard dash. Despite not participating in positional drills in Indianapolis, suffering from a groin injury, Dupree still completed the broad jump, covering 11 feet, five inches and posted a 42-inch vertical jump. Weeks later at Kentucky's pro day, Dupree worked out in front of NFL scouts, running the 20-yard short shuttle (4.47 sec.) and the three-cone drill (7.49 sec.), sticking to his other numbers posted at the Combine. NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein has evaluated Dupree and offered the following assessments.Strengths "Dupree is a freakish athlete with a chiseled frame," Zierlein said. "(He has) outstanding power with ability to rag-doll tight ends at will. (He) should be an above average edge-setter (and showed) good transition from playing run to rushing quarterback in play-action." Other assets Dupree brings to an NFL team, according to Zierlein, include an "explosive closing burst", a hard-hitting mentality and "scouts give him (a) plus grade for character." Areas to Improve "Some scouts believe his instincts are below average, leading to hesitation," Zierlein said. "(He) will get caught taking bad angles to the ball (and) needs to improve hand fighting. (He's) still raw, rushing the passer, doesn't possess a go-to pass-rush move (and) appears to lack urgency in-game." NFL Media's Mike Mayock lists Dupree as the fifth-best edge rusher in this year's draft class. Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida Shane Ray, Missouri Vic Beasley, Clemson Randy Gregory, Nebraska 5. Bud Dupree, Kentucky "I just play explosive, relentless and real versatile," Dupree said. "I think I'm a hard-working guy, accountable and dependable. I stay out of trouble and make sure I do everything right. I've been thinking about the NFL before I was playing football. Draft day is the most anticipated moment of my life."

2015 Draft Spotlight: Kentucky OLB Bud Dupree

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