NFL Combine 2015: Highlighting Top Prospects from Sunday's Action

NFL quarterbacks may want to turn away and stick their fingers in their ears. 

If the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine trumpets one thing, it's that this year's class of pass-rushers is headlined by some of the freakiest athletes to hit the pros.

Linebackers, defensive ends, tackles and continually evolving hybrids hit the field Sunday in Indianapolis to staggering results, fully showcasing that the 2015 class is one of the deepest in recent memory in this regard.

The NFL is a cyclical machine. Defenses react to offensive innovations ad nauseam. Sunday made it clear: The 2015 class will help the reactionary party close the gap.

Led by Nebraska's Randy Gregory and USC's Leonard Williams—both of whom performed as expected—Sunday was quite the sight to behold. In large part, thank the shocking performances of the three names below.

Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky

Wade Payne/Associated Press

Many will be quick to compare Kentucky's Alvin Dupree to Khalil Mack of the Oakland Raiders. 

There was a serious divide between mainstream and social media regarding Mack's stock before the combine last year. He played at Buffalo out of the MAC but was a freak with clear NFL-ready skills. He not only blew away the combine but was also one of the league's best linebackers.

It's probably not a fair comparison, but Dupree does hail from a lesser-known SEC school and possesses many similar traits.

He also just blew away the combine.

Dupree measured in at 6'4" and 269 pounds, otherwise known as perfect size for any scheme. But that's nothing compared to his 4.56 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical and 138-inch broad jump.

When folks talk about "explosive" prospects, they mean Dupree. To put it into perspective, digest some research done by Mike Loyko of NEPatriotsDraft.com:

The great thing about Dupree is that the film reinforces the numbers. He's a regular backfield occupant after that explosion allows him to jump the snap and sneak past offensive linemen before they are fully out of their stances.

Dupree is a lock for the first half of the opening round in Chicago. He's an instant contributor in that he can rush the passer at an efficient level right away while still developing in other areas, such as run defense.

Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson 

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

While far from an unknown, Clemson's Vic Beasley needed a big performance Sunday too.

Beasley was a hot commodity on the path to last year's draft before electing to return to school. Entering Sunday, he was lost in the shuffle, as weight concerns allowed many to overlook him in favor of others in a deep class.

Things are on the upswing for Beasley now, though, and he has the combine to thank. He came in at 6'3' and 246 pounds and then wowed onlookers by retaining his speed despite the weight increase.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller paints the picture:

Think about this for a minute.

Beasley posted 35 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Those are numbers expected of hefty offensive linemen and interior defenders. He also posted a 4.53 40-yard dash, a respectable number for running backs and wideouts.

As ESPN Stats & Info points out, the performance places Beasley in rare company:

Of course, numbers do not necessarily translate to games. But they do in Beasley's case.

Beasley might be the combine's biggest winner. There is no more glossing over his name with the draft approaching.

Dante Fowler Jr., DE/OLB, Florida 

While Beasley was impressive, teams may gravitate toward Florida's Dante Fowler Jr., who is more versatile.

Fowler is a bigger player with experience as a stand-up rusher, on the edge with his hand in the dirt and on the interior.

On Sunday, his 6'3" and 261-pound frame became even more impressive when he ran dangerously close to Beasley's 40-yard dash time with a 4.6 of his own. Keep in mind he's much heavier.

The speed-size tandem is enough for Miller and colleague Matt Bowen to pencil in the Florida product as a top-10 player on draft day:

It's a small thing, but it helps that Fowler was a fan favorite when it came time to interview prospects thanks to his booming personality. It also might have helped eliminate a potential destination for him on draft day, as NFL.com's Chase Goodbread humorously points out:

The thing is, Fowler is at the point that even a team such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might view him as a critical piece to turning around a blundering franchise.

Great film, freak athleticism and a super day at the combine tend to do that for a top prospect.

Sorry, NFL quarterbacks—Fowler and Sunday's other top performers are on the way sooner rather than later.

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of Feb. 22 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.