INDIANAPOLIS - Out of every player in Indianapolis for the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine, UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr may be the most self aware.
2014 NFL Combine: Anthony Barr thinks it’s ‘very realistic’ he could go No. 1
Anthony Barr may have high expectations, but he realizes his limitations.
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Barr started his college career as a running back but finished it with two productive seasons as an edge rusher for the Bruins. He's now considered one of the top edge rushers in the 2014 NFL Draft, but is still a bit raw.
“Shedding blocks, defending the run, using my hands. I think those things are still new to me, things I’m still working on,” Barr said Saturday. “If I continue to work on it, I think I’ll be able to perfect those.
“Like I said, I’m far from a finished product.”
While he’s incredibly self aware about areas in which he needs to improve, Barr still thinks he has a realistic shot at being the No. 1 overall pick to the Houston Texans.
“Very realistic,” Barr said. “Why not?”
Maybe Barr is a long shot for the top pick, but he understands where he needs to get better, which is a start. For a player with as much athletic potential as Barr has, self scouting is an important part of the process. He also finally feels like he’s found his calling on defense.
“I’m a pretty aggressive person, especially when it comes to competing,” Barr said. “I think it gives me a little outlet.”
That aggressive nature is something UCLA has preached under Jim Mora Jr.
"UCLA used to have the reputation of being soft. A lot of our guys hated that," UCLA linebacker Jordan Zumwalt said. "We weren't about that at all. That's when coach Mora showed up and he just made it OK for us to be ourselves."
Barr said he’s starting to feel like himself when rushing the passer.
“It’s still new to me,” Barr said. “If a team gets me, if they like what they see they’re going to love what they get, because I’m just going to continue to get better.”
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