Anthony Barr

During the recruiting process, the promise to keep Barr as a ballcarrier on offense swayed him to UCLA, but with head coach Jim Mora taking over in 2012 and a crowded backfield, Barr agreed to move to linebacker that spring. To say he flourished at the new position would be a vast understatement. Barr's evolution from running back to outside linebacker and a potential top-five selection in the 2014 draft is one of the more extraordinary developments in college football over the past two years. Powerful and athletic, Barr can be a terror off the edge. After racking up 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss as a junior, he added 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2013. He earned a cupboard full of awards in the process, including the Lott Impact Trophy, first team Walter Camp All-American and first team All-Pac-12. Scouts feel that Barr is stout enough to handle strong-side duties in the 4-3 alignment but believe his best fit is as a stand-up outside linebacker in the 3-4. A popular prospect with obvious athletic ability and some pass rush skills, but he is a no sale here. If Barr doesn't win foot-race with initial burst he appears all-to-easy to block and lacks NFL caliber tenacity and toughness. His fluid athleticism and speed are seductive, but Barr does not show innate read-and-react skills. In summary, great athlete who rarely shows effort to disengage blockers, is missing the ferocity of a top level defender and may not be effective in space.

freakish combination of size and athleticism. possesses long arms, extraordinary burst off the ball and explosive closing ability -- a terrifying combination that gives him an immediate advantage over pass-blockers. developing swim move to complement his speed, and possesses the strength and use of leverage to effectively bull-rush.

Followed up breakout junior season with another standout campaign despite facing constant double-team attention. Causes holding penalties due to his athletic motor and power to rip through blocks.

strengths

Perhaps most impressive qualities are Barr's balance, lateral agility and acceleration, which he uses to break down in the open field as well as when exploding into ballcarriers for ferocious hits.

compares to

Demarcus Ware, Broncos -- To develop into the all-around performer that Ware has become, however, Barr will need to show better leverage and overall physicality, especially when offenses run his direction.

weaknesses

Still developing as a run defender. Will be tested in coverage if working as a stand-up linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Raw as a two-year player on the defensive side of the ball in coverage, and will need to pick up NFL schemes quickly to be more than a situational pass rusher as a rookie.

Played three seasons at Los Angeles Loyola HS for coaches Jeff Kearin and Adam Guerra

Missed virtually all of his senior season with a broken ankle

Tom Lemming All-American (No. 14 player nationally)

Rated No. 1 athlete by Tom Lemming/Max Preps

Member of Dream Team (No. 33 national prospect)

Rated No. 50 national prospect and No. 5 athlete by rivals.com

Ranked No. 100 national prospect and No. 10 outside linebacker by scout.com

SuperPrep All-American (No. 10 athlete)

Rated No.8 player in California by rivals.com and No. 14 by scout.com

Rated No. 18 player in West by scout.com

Rated No. 22 player in CA/NV/HI region by SuperPrep

Member of The Sporting News Top 100 (No. 72) and ESPN 150 (No. 102)

Rated No. 11 athlete by ESPN.com

Earned four stars from scout.com and rivals.com

Member of Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100

Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West honorable mention

Selected for the U.S. Army All-America Game as a senior, but was unable to participate

As a junior, he earned first-team All-State Underclass honors after rushing for 1,890 yards and 20 touchdowns

Also lettered four seasons in track for coach Michael Porterfield.

Full Name: Anthony Barr

Born: March 18, 1992 in South Bend, IN

Parents: Tony Brooks and Lori Barr

Has one younger brother, Nicholas

Dad played fullback at Notre Dame and was a fourth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1992 NFL draft

Three uncles also played in the NFL

Lists his biggest thrill in sports as being named to the Army All-American HS game

Lists the NFL's Ricky Williams and the NBA's Kobe Bryant as the athletes he admires the most

Hobbies include going to the beach and playing basketball

. Undeclared major.