Defensive End, Detroit Lions
No. 92

Age: 25
Height/weight: 6-3, 253

Cliff was born in Jacksonville, Fl to Marie and Samuel Avril on April 8th, 1986. He attended Clay High School (Fla.) where he earned second-team All-State honors as a defensive end as a senior and was rated the 37th best outside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com. He was named to the Florida Times-Union Super 24 team and twice earned All-Conference accolades. As a senior led the team to an 11-2 record and registered 80 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 11 stops behind the line of scrimmage and four passes defended. Named to Class 3A All-State team by the Florida Sports Writers Association in his senior year. He also lettered in basketball, track and field. His great high school career earned him a scholarship to Purdue University.  At Purdue, the 6’3, 251lbs linebacker made an immediate impact for the Boilermakers.  From 2004-06, Cliff played both Defensive End and Linebacker.  By the end of his Junior season he was starting to get looks by numerous NFL teams. At the end of his senior year he was named to the 2^nd team all Big 10, Cliff was NFL ready.

Cliff was taken by the Detroit Lions in the 3rd round (92nd overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.  Just as he did at Purdue, Cliff was ready to contribute instantly for the Lions as he was picked to Sporting News Magazines All-Rookie team. As he received more playing time the stats and sacks began to follow, last season Cliff became a proven pass rusher with 8.5 sacks ranked 13 in the NFC and was in the top 25 in the NFL. Avril is looking to be an integral part of the Lions ferocious front four in Motown for 2011 alongside fellow stars Kyle Vanden Bosch, Ndamukong Suh, and newcomer DT Nick Fairley. This line is gearing up to be part of one of the most devastating defensive lines in the NFL.

Cliff has been getting lots of recognition and notice from analysts all over the NFL as a defensive player who is climbing up the defensive rankings and the sky is the limit for this rising NFL star.