NFL Combine 2012: Vontaze Burfict and Defensive Studs Who'll Test Off The Charts

With the NFL combine only a couple of days away, the scouts and pundits are buzzing about Vontaze Burfict, the Arizona State inside linebacker who will see his draft stock rise dramatically if he can prove that he's capable of controlling his temper.

Burfict has been called violent and overly-aggressive by some, and though his on-field persona and his sportsmanship can be a problem, his numbers have him ranked just behind Alabama's Courtney Upshaw and Boston College's Luke Kuechly as the top options at linebacker in this year's draft. He finished his junior season with 69 total tackles (40 solo), an interception and five sacks. In three full seasons with the Sun Devils, he compiled 228 tackles, 11 passes defensed and four forced fumbles.

Yahoo! Sports' Gil Alcaraz IV calls Burfict an NFL-caliber talent with the potential to be an annual Pro Bowler. Though he's been known to slack when he feels like he's out of the play, Burfict has the natural instincts necessary to excel in the pros and he rarely, if ever, misses a tackle. He is precisely the type of player who possesses the natural talent that can be refined into undeniable prowess with the right coaching.

If Burfict can test well at the combine, the lure of those talents will be too much to pass up on, negative character assessments aside. 

Here are some other defensive studs to keep your eyes on as the combine approaches:

Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The 6'5", 307-pounder led the Nittany Lions with 17 tackles for a loss in 2011, and tied for second on the team with 4.5 sacks. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year overcame two season-ending injuries during his time at Penn State, and despite his size, he displays surprising speed and power, beating offensive linemen with both strength and quickness.

Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

The 6'5" defensive end is athletic enough to drop in coverage, and though he's gained over fifty pounds since his freshman year, his frame could use a bit more bulk, and he's just average when it comes to career sack production. In three seasons with the Orangemen, he totaled 101 tackles and 10 sacks. Scouts say that he may have the longest arms of any player in the draft— he just needs to learn how to use them.

Nick Perry, DE, USC

Projected to go late in the first round, Perry has been lauded for his exceptional take-off speed, his body control and his agility. But he has average eyes and instincts, and he has trouble moving in reverse. In 2011, the junior finished first in the Pac-12 with 10 sacks.