When asked to describe former Colorado Buffaloes outside linebacker Jordon Dizon, linebackers coach Brian Cabral had only one word to say.

"Playmaker," he said.

And based on his play in four years at Boulder -- not his size, which seems just as important a factor in determining whether or not to draft a player to most NFL teams -- Dizon was just that.

The Hawaii product was one of the most productive tacklers in college in 2007, recording 162 tackles -- 114 of which were solo -- en route to being named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

"It's an honor, it definitely is. There are a lot of tangibles that go on behind this," Dizon told CUBuffs.com after the announcement was made. "I have to thank my coaches, Coach Cabral and Coach ( Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins) Hawk. I have to thank my D-line, (DT) Brandon Nicolas and (DT) George Hypolite because without both of them none of this would have been possible."

A finalist for the Butkus Award, Dizon was also named a Walter Camp All-American.

"He is very deserving," Hawkins said. "Good things happen to good people and he is one of those guys. He had a tremendous season; he's played very well and been very productive. He has been very consistent and very solid, all the things I've said before. He shows up every day, he's a very humble guy, he plays hurt, great leader -- just very solid all the way around."

For his career, Dizon had 308 solo tackles and 12 sacks. But standing just barely 6 feet tall and weighing 228 pounds, he has his share of critics among NFL scouts who ponder whether or not he has the measurable to make it in the pros. Some have suggested that he'll have to make his niche early on as a special teams contributor while finding the right fit defensively.

Projected as a third rounder in next week's NFL Draft (Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, Radio City Music Hall, New York), Dizon, who according to USA Today Sports Weekly is better against the outside run than inside thanks to his ability to chase down plays in pursuit, figures to be a better fit in a 4-3 defense.

"I can't fit into a 3-4 with my hand in the dirt and come off the edge," Dizon told CUBuffs.com. "But I can fit into a 4-3 like we had here where I can read the play and run it down. I can also fit into the Tampa-two style defense."

Cabral agreed.

"I do think it will definitely be a 4-3 team," Cabral said of whom will draft Dizon.

Which team drafts him will likely use Dizon's size as a determining factor.

"(Will) teams draft him as a playmaker or based on size?," said Cabral, who noted a number of undersized linebackers went on to have productive NFL careers. "I do think size (matters) for some teams and that size is not a factor for some teams. Size probably for most teams will be a factor. The bottom line is that he makes a lot of plays."

Scouts got a better fill for Dizon following Colorado 's Pro Day, where he improved his performance at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.66 40-yard dash in Indianapolis , but came back and ran a 4.59 one month later in Boulder . And despite his size, Dizon had a 34½ vertical leap at the Pro Day, second best among the 14 participants.

"It was good to improve from my numbers in the combine, and I did that in most things," Dizon told CUBuffs.com. "Pro Day can't hurt you; they already have your combine times. If you beat them great. If not they forget them."

All Dizon wants is that NFL teams don't forget him come next weekend.

No matter who selects Dizon, Cabral said, they'll be getting a special player.

"I don't know who all of them are," Cabral said of this year's linebacker prospects. "I don't know if there are many more productive guys than him. It depends on which team drafts him and how they see him, size or production. Whoever gets him is going to get a great player."

Michael Hicks is the managing editor for Draft Stock and an associate editor for SportsBuff.com