Kentucky outside linebacker Alvin "Bud" Dupree was considered a high-level athlete before the NFL Scouting Combine, and he drove that point home in a big way Sunday.
Dupree (6-foot-4, 269 pounds) turned in a blazing 4.56 official time in the 40, including an unofficial 1.60-second 10-yard split. He also blew away observers with a broad jump of 11 feet, 5 inches, and a 42-inch vertical jump. "He shows an incredible lower-body explosion," NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock said during the NFL Network's telecast of the combine.
Dupree's 40 time was the second-best among linebackers; LSU's Kwon Alexander ran a 4.55.
Dupree played a hybrid end/outside linebacker position for Kentucky and was invited to the combine as a linebacker. Mayock had Dupree as his No. 5 edge rusher going into the combine.
Dupree's 40 time trailed Clemson's Vic Beasley (4.53), but was better than Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. (4.60) and Nebraska's Randy Gregory (4.64). Those three were invited as ends, as was Missouri's Shane Ray, who didn't participate in the testing because of a toe injury. Those four are ahead of Dupree in Mayock's edge rusher rankings.
Dupree -- who did not participate in the combine drills because of a groin injury -- was a three-year starter for UK and finished his career with 23.5 sacks and 37 tackles for loss. Dupree, who didn't redshirt in college, starred at tight end and defensive end and also was a basketball standout in high school in Georgia.
As athletic as he is, Dupree was "not consistent enough" at Kentucky, according to Mayock. Fellow analyst Charles Davis said that when he watches tape of Dupree, "I don't find him as much as I'm looking for." In addition, fellow analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Dupree "is not very refined" and "needs a runway" as a pass rusher.
Dupree wore No. 2 at Kentucky, saying, "I'm trying to be No. 1, but I am working like I am No. 2."
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
