Joe Tiller begins his 12th and last season as the head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers, who have knocked off Notre Dame five times in Tiller's tenure in West Lafayette, Ind.[details]
Personal:Post-Training Camp 2007 Update: Avril appears past the back problems that plagued his off-season, heading healthy into what could be a big season for him. Avril was voted a team captain.
2006: Started all 14 games, first four at linebacker and last 10 at defensive end ... averaged 1.07 tackles for loss per game which ranked ninth in Big Ten ... second on team with 15.0 tackles for loss, tied for second with 6.0 sacks (also Ryan Baker) and six pass breakups (also Anthony Spencer), and third with 84 tackles (51 solo, 33 assists) ... had two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception ... came up with first career interception to go with seven tackles, including 2.0 for loss, vs. Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 9 ... had seven tackles, including career-high 3.0 for loss and 2.0 sacks, vs. Ball State on Sept. 16 ... topped team with career-high 10 tackles (4 solo, 6 assists) vs. Minnesota on Sept. 30 ... forced fumbles at Iowa on Oct. 7 and vs. Penn State on Oct. 28 ... recovered fumble at Illinois on Nov. 11 ... received team's Pop Doan Award - Defense (top performance against Indiana) after recording eight tackles (6 solo, 2 assists), including 2.0 for loss, vs. Hoosiers on Nov. 18 ... named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after recording three tackles, including 1.0 sack, and career-high four pass breakups at Hawai'i on Nov. 25.
2005: Appeared in 10 games, including four starts ... had 33 tackles (21 solo, 12 assists), including 2.5 for loss ... recorded six tackles (4 solo, 2 assists), including 1.0 for loss, at Minnesota on Sept. 24 ... started for injured Bobby Iwuchukwu and had season-high seven tackles (4 solo, 3 assists) vs. Notre Dame on Oct. 1 ... had six tackles (4 solo, 2 assists), including 1.0 for loss, in start vs. Iowa on Oct. 8 ... missed game at Wisconsin on Oct. 22 with lower back injury ... started vs. Illinois on Nov. 12 and at Indiana on Nov. 19.
2004: Appeared in all 12 games, including four starts ... started last four games following injury to Bobby Iwuchukwu ... had 36 tackles (23 solo, 13 assists), including 3.0 for loss and 0.5 sacks, with one pass breakup and one forced fumble ... finished with six tackles (4 solo, 2 assists), including 1.0 for loss, at Northwestern on Oct. 30 ... made first career start and had five tackles (4 solo, 1 assist) at Iowa on Nov. 6 ... came up with six tackles (5 solo, 1 assist), including 1.0 for loss, vs. Indiana on Nov. 20 ... recorded season-high seven tackles (3 solo, 4 assists), pass breakup and forced fumble vs. Arizona State in Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.
High School: Ranked as No. 37 outside linebacker in nation by Rivals.com ... second team all-state as defensive end as senior after recording 80 tackles, including 11 for loss and nine sacks, with four pass breakups ... named to Florida Times-Union Super 24 team ... team went 11-2 ... all-conference selection his junior year ... coach was James Reape ... also participated in basketball, track and field and weightlifting.
Personal: Given name is Clifford Samuel Avril ... born April 8, 1986 ... retail management major ... enjoys playing basketball.
The Good: He has a quick first step and came on strong late in his career. He has quick feet and excellent change-of-direction skills. In run support, he shows fine functional strength that allows him to hold the point of attack fairly well, though at times bigger tackles can engulf him. He has good instincts and a fine football IQ.
The Bad: He is a 'tweener who may be better-suited for outside linebacker. He actually has played more linebacker than end. He can struggle to shed blockers once his initial move is contained. He needs development on additional counter moves.
This is special to Rivals.com from Frank Coyle. Coyle has written about the NFL Draft in his newsletter for more than...[Complete Bio]
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