Overview

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.

High School

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.

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Analysis

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.

Injury Report

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

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