Face of the Linebacker Position Changing?

Sources have notified the TFY Draft Preview that Virginia middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks has been dismissed from the Cavalier football program. Brooks is likely to try and enter April's draft as a special exception case or could apply for July's supplemental draft if he is not reinstated by the school. While saying Brooks' status with the team has not changed, school officials did not confirm or deny the story.

The decision to dismiss Brooks from the program was the result of a recent off-field incident.

After numerous injuries which included major knee surgery in the off-season and ankle problems during the '05 campaign, Brooks eventually played six games and finished with only 27 tackles and a sack.

During our underclassmen watch we noted NFL scouts said entering the draft would not be in Brooks' best interest. At one point tipping the scale near 280 pounds, he must now overcome character and durability issues in quick fashion if his application is accepted for April's draft.

Two scouts we briefly spoke with stated if Brooks is unable to return to Virginia, July's supplemental draft is a better situation for him as opposed to April's selection process, where he'd be a late-round selection at best.