2012 NFL Draft: Is Arizona State Linebacker Vontaze Burfict Human?

In the way that many define the word human, no, he is not. On the football field, Vontaze Burfict is something else: an animal. 

Burfict is more than just a physical specimen. The 6'3", 250-pound linebacker plays with rare intensity and there is no more feared player in college football.

The number one middle linebacker recruit in 2009, Burfict chose to attend Arizona State over prestigious schools such as USC and Miami (FL). Even as a high school player, Burfict was praised for his violent play but criticized for his lack of discipline. 

Today, this is even more true.

Burfict is loved by draft experts for his athletic ability and explosiveness but feared because of his reckless play. When watching the star linebacker, one can't help but get the sense that he will either be a star or a huge bust.

With four sacks in the first two games of 2011, Burfict possesses rare pass-rushing ability for a middle linebacker. Burfict had zero sacks through all of 2010, so it is obvious that he has progressed as a blitzer.

While Burfict is primarily viewed as an inside linebacker, there are many that feel he could play on the outside in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. However, if he is drafted by a team that runs the 3-4 defense, it seems likely that the Sun Devil star will stay on the inside where his blitzing and run-stopping ability would both be utilized.

Despite his big frame, Burfict does have great speed and is a sideline-to-sideline defender. Despite this athletic ability, Burfict is not a great pass defender and sometimes seems lost in space. With that said, no offensive player wants to go across the middle with Burfict waiting.

This minor flaw is but a minor blotch on Burfict's impressive resume. It cannot be said enough how physical of a player Burfict is, and every game is a highlight real for him. Burfict could enter the NFL right now and immediately be one of the game's best run defenders.

Even Burfict's reputation helps him on the field. Opposing players are actually scared of him. A receiver gets a bit more rattled by footsteps and a quarterback is just a little bit more trigger happy. These seemingly minor differences can have a huge impact on the game.

This may seem like a ringing endorsement of Burfict, but he does have one major flaw. Burfict has virtually zero discipline on the field.

The defensive star plays with a reckless abandon, often going for the big hit even if the victim doesn't have the ball. Sometimes it seems like Burfict doesn't have interest in tackles, just big hits.

Burfict is almost perfect in calculating angles when he wants to. But on occasion, Burfict will not react to a change of direction but instead build a head of steam and deck the closest offensive player.

Sometimes this aggressive attitude is good for a defense. Offenses play scared and Burfict pumps up his fellow defenders. But on occasion, this lack of responsibility will give up huge plays and Burfict can kill a defense.

But it isn't just this that hurts Burfict. It's personal fouls.

At one point in 2010, Burfict was actually benched because he was racking up personal fouls at such an incredible rate. Some of these plays were clean, but incredibly violent hits and shouldn't have been penalties. Others were dirty or late.

Again, this physical style of play isn't always bad. But when a player is constantly being called for 15-yard penalties, he is hurting the team more than he is helping.

By all accounts, Burfict is a soft mannered and respectable individual off the field. He just needs to learn to control his emotions and passion on the field and he can be the best defensive player in the NFL.

Many are concerned that Burfict's lack of discipline will turn him into a bust in the NFL. But these same people are also aware of the Arizona State linebacker's incredible potential and lick their lips at what he could be.

Only time will tell if Burfict is the next Ray Lewis, who is entering his 16th NFL season, or a bust who will fizzle out after a few short seasons.