In 2006, Purdue coach Joe Tiller discovered a void in his defense early in the season. It was his team’s pass rush.
With recruiting complete, there was little Tiller could do other than make a change with his current players.
“You have to have someone on the defensive line who can make a play,” Tiller said. “You can’t blitz every play and you can’t cover players forever in the secondary. Without an effective front, you’re certainly handicapped.”
He turned to one of his most versatile players to help. Although he was recruited as a linebacker, senior Cliff Avril always had a hunch that he could play in a three-point stance.
Four games into last season, the thought became reality. While the rest of Purdue’s defense struggled, finishing last in the conference in run defense and total defense, Avril learned his new position at defensive end with relative success – 84 tackles, 15 for a loss, and six sacks on the season.
But he said it was a work in progress.
“I was out there freestyling it the majority of the season,” Avril said. “Once I learn the reads better I’ll be there putting a hand in the quarterback’s face.”
What most excited Avril was the opportunity to play alongside one of the greatest defensive players in Tiller’s tenure. As Avril prepared to take over the reigns of the defense, he watched his former teammate Anthony Spencer get drafted in the first round by Dallas. Spencer was the first player to accomplish that feat since defensive back and 11-time NFL Pro Bowler Rod Woodson in 1987.
Without Spencer, the track may have been much more difficult for Avril. Spencer’s first two seasons in college were obscure at best, missing all of 2002 to redshirt, and seeing 10 games of action as a reserve in 2003. The relationship between the two gave Avril some much-needed guidance in the eyes of Tiller.
“It’s extremely valuable,” Tiller said. “These young guys hang on every word a veteran player says, particularly from a production point of view.”
Avril parallels NFL stars Rosevelt Colvin and Shaun Phillips in frame. Both players saw time at defensive end and linebacker in their careers at Purdue – a change Tiller would have made sooner for Avril if the opportunity presented itself.
“I really wish Cliff had two years left,” Tiller said. “He has the same types of skills as some of the outstanding defensive ends have. We have as many defensive ends as anybody playing at the next level.”
While skill is important at the individual level, Purdue will need Avril’s leadership to finish better than its 8-6 season last year. The Boilermakers haven’t been victorious in a bowl since defeating Washington in the 2002 Sun Bowl.
Avril has battled injuries this season, limiting his production to 22 tackles and three sacks in eight games. But while his numbers are down, Purdue’s defense has profited under his leadership, improving their rushing defense to seventh and total defense to eighth in the conference.
His approach as a leader? Hard work.
“It feels good that people look up to me, but it means I have to be on point all the time,” he said. “If I’m always doing the right thing, guys will be willing to work hard for me if I work hard for them.”
Reach Chris Gentilviso at
