The role of the athlete in the outside linebacker position in either a 3-4 or 4-3 base defense has changed. Those players used to just drop back in space. Now, they rush the passer and play in space. Oftentimes, this position in college football is filled with players who came to school after playing a different position in high school. For example, Dion Jordan -- the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins -- went to Oregon as a high school tight end. A large group (15 or more) from this senior class of outside linebackers has NFL potential.

-- Gil Brandt (follow on Twitter @gil_brandt)

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Barr came to UCLA as a running back, but converted to outside linebacker in the spring of 2012. Barr -- who runs a 4.7-second 40-yard dash -- was UCLA's second-leading tackler in 2012 with 83, and he led the Pac-12 with 13 1/2 sacks. He has long arms and a very good burst off the edge. Barr also seems to have very good instincts. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Mack (6-foot-2 5/8, 245 pounds) will most likely be the highest draft pick in the history of University of Buffalo football. Defensive end Gerry Philbin was a third-round selection, No. 19 overall, by the New York Jets in the 1964 AFL Draft. In the modern era, the New England Patriots made offensive tackle Ed Ellis a fourth-round pick (No. 125 overall) in the 1997 NFL Draft. In 2012, Mack led the Bulls in tackles (94), tackles for loss (21) and sacks (8). He is coached by Lou Tepper, who has coached three three Butkus Award winners in the past: Colorado's Alfred Williams and Illinois' Dana Howard and Kevin Hardy.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Murphy is a big, strong and explosive player who recorded 11 sacks in 2012. Murphy (who runs the 40 in 4.75 seconds) has long arms, and can play with his hand in the ground or in space. With Murphy on the outside and Shayne Skov manning the middle, Stanford might have the best group of linebackers in college football. Also notable: Murphy's younger brother is a 14-year-old high school freshman who is 6-foot-3 and has already been offered a scholarship from Stanford. (Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports)

Van Noy (6-foot-3, 236 pounds) is a very good athlete and is very competitive. He wears No. 3, which is a strange number for a linebacker. Van Noy (who runs the 40 in 4.7 seconds) has the ability to play in space and delivers an added skill as a kick blocker (he has blocked three kicks in his college career). Van Noy stayed in school for his senior season in spite of people telling him to leave for the NFL. (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports)

Reilly (6-foot-4 1/2, 244 pounds) moved from safety to defensive end for the Utes, but projects as an outside linebacker in the NFL. Reilly was Utah's leading tackler in 2012 an also had 4 1/2 sacks. He is a very athletic with speed, having posted a 40 time of 4.65 seconds. (AP Photo/Wily Low)