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The next group in our "U-Who?" series is linebacker. While inside linebackers are important if teams want to win on Sundays, outside linebackers have become the rage on draft days, with four of them going in the first round this year and seven in the past two years.We're grouping all linebackers together for this exercise.So, which college program is best at producing NFL players at linebacker? Here's a look at the top 10 candidates for the title of "Linebacker U.," based on a 15-year history of their draft picks at the position, and factoring in the overall quality of the group, too.Note: Some of the players included on this list also appear in our "" post, as certain players have played both defensive end and outside linebacker. We did not include college safeties who eventually became NFL linebackers in this list.10. Ohio StateFirst-round picks past 15 years: 4Top three rounds: 7Total drafted: 17The skinny: The 17 draftees is second-most in our time frame, and the sheer number is the only reason the Buckeyes are on this list. Two of the No. 1s were busts: Bobby Carpenter and Vernon Gholston. The others were and , who struggled as a rookie last season. Second-rounder is a solid player, but the only other real succe s story is fourth-rounder Matt Wilhelm, who played eight seasons and was a full-time starter for one of them.9. MichiganFirst-round picks past 15 years: 0Top three rounds: 5Total drafted: 8The skinny: There haven't been that many Michigan linebackers drafted in the past 15 years, but half have become (at the least) solid NFL players. Second-rounders , Victor Hobson and have combined to start for 17 seasons, and Woodley three times has finished with double-digit sack totals. Fourth-rounder has been an eight-year starter. Check out the top 10 players from Florida to play in the NFL. 8. FloridaFirst-round picks past 15 years: 1Top three rounds: 5Total drafted: 12The skinny: The 12 draftees is tied for sixth-most in our time frame. The lone first-rounder is , Jr., who went No. 3 overall in the 2015 draft but is going to mi s his first season with a torn ACL. Despite the lack of first-rounders, there have been numerous succe s stories. The biggest: sixth-rounder , who plays end but was drafted as an outside 'backer and is heading into his ninth season. Second-rounders , and , third-rounder Channing Crowder, fourth-rounder and fifth-rounder Andra Davis also became starters, and seventh-rounder Brandon Siler lasted six seasons and was a part-time starter in three of those.7. Penn StateFirst-round picks past 15 years: 0Top three rounds: 4Total drafted: 9The skinny: The nine draftees is tied for 11th in our span and there have been no first-rounders. But Penn State still has produced some high-level linebackers headed by third-rounder and second-rounders and . Third-rounder Dan Connor became a starter. Fourth-rounder was a part-time starter last season. And fifth-rounder Tim Shaw and seventh-rounders Josh Hull, and Nathan Stupar have each lasted at least two seasons; all but Mauti have lasted at least three, and Mauti is headed into his third season. Take a look at the top 10 players from Purdue to play Andre Dawson Jersey in the NFL. 6. PurdueFirst-round picks past 15 years: 2Top three rounds: 5Total drafted: 9The skinny: The nine draftees is 11th-most in our span, but the hit factor has been high. The only first-rounder is , who has 38 sacks in four seasons. He isn't the only Boilermakers linebacker to make a mark as a pa s rusher; there's also fourth-rounder and first-rounder . And third-rounders Akin Ayodele (an eight-year starter, for four teams) and Landon Johnson (five-year starter, for two teams) were solid players. The other three draftees -- Stanford Keglar, Niko Koutouvides and Joe Odom -- each played for at least three seasons, and Koutouvides was an excellent special-teamer throughout his nine-year career.5. AlabamaFirst-round picks past 15 years: 3Top three rounds: 6Total drafted: 10The skinny: The 10 draftees is tied for ninth. Five of the six taken in the first three rounds have panned out -- though to differing levels. The first-rounders have been (excellent as a rookie last season), (a starter in each of his three seasons) and (who is talented but also troubled). Second-rounder has been a starter in each of his nine seasons, and fellow second-rounder -- like Hightower -- has started in each of his first three seasons. Seventh-rounder Kenneth Pope played for four seasons and was a starter for one of them.4. Florida StateFirst-round picks past 15 years: 4Top three rounds: 8Total drafted: 18The skinny: The 18 draftees is the most in our time frame. Only one of the first-rounders () has become a star, though Kamerion Wimbley has been OK and there is hope for . Fourth-rounder , sixth-rounders and and seventh-rounder continue to outplay their draft status. Fifth-rounder played well as a rookie last season. Second-rounder Tommy Polley was a five-year starter in the early to mid-2000s.3. MiamiFirst-round picks past 15 years: 4Top three rounds: 8Total drafted: 13The skinny: UM's 13 total draftees is tied for fourth in our span. While UM hasn't had a first-rounder since in 2007, it still has produced some solid 'backers (and there are high hopes for rookie second-rounder ). Each of the first-rounders paid off: Beason, Dan Morgan (when healthy), Jonathan Vilma and . Second-rounder Rocky McIntosh, third-rounders Tavares Gooden and and fourth-rounders , Daryl Sharpton and Leon Williams each started for at least one season. Twelve of the 13 (all but Perryman, who, again, is a rookie) have lasted at least three seasons in the NFL; Spence is heading into his fourth, and he will make it 11 of 13 who have lasted at least four seasons. Check out the top 10 players from Georgia to play in the NFL. 2. GeorgiaFirst-round picks past 15 years: 3Top three rounds: 10Total drafted: 13The skinny: The 13 draftees -- tied for fourth-most -- does not include , who was selected as a safety. There have been a lot of draftees and a lot of succe s stories. The first-rounders, though, have been a mixed bag. has started all 32 games in his two-year career, but has struggled in his first two seasons and David Pollack lasted just two seasons before having to retire because of injuries. Third-rounder is a pa s-rush force and a bona-fide star. Third-rounder Will Witherspoon started for nine seasons, and second-rounders Bo s Bailey and Kendrell Bell for five each. Second-rounder Odell Thurman was a starter in his only season before off-field i sues ended his career. Third-rounder is a journeyman talent who has been a part-time starter.1. USCFirst-round picks past 15 years: 4Top three rounds: 6Total drafted: 16The skinny: The 16 draftees ranks third in our time frame. First-rounder is a star; the other three first-rounders -- , and -- have had up-and-down careers. Cushing and Matthews were part of a 2009 USC draft cla s that included four linebackers; second-rounder (a six-year starter) and fourth-rounder Kaluka Maiava (a full-time starter for one season and a part-time guy in two others) were the other two. Seventh-rounder was MVP of Seattle's win following the 2013 season. Second-rounder Lofa Tatupu was a solid starter for six seasons. Fourth-rounder Markus Steele and fifth-rounder Zeke Moreno each lasted at least three seasons and started for one.Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter . 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Aston Villa, Q.P.R., Norwich, Spurs and now Liverpool havent learnt the main le son seen in the FA CUP year after year; taking lower league opposition lightly may lead to a Giant-killing.Either by not playing their full teams, giving youth a chance, not taking their opportunities in front of goal or other excuses the teams used in their post-match interviews, it is simple, they underestimated how good their opponents actually were and Steven Brault Jersey has led to their ball not being in the draw for the next round; they only have themselves to blame.It must be absolutely infuriating for fans of these Premiership teams that they dont take opposition of whatever level seriously enough, but for neutrals and fans of the leagues below it, it leads to great cup moments and is the reason I love the FA CUP so much.Today and yesterday has shown the underdogs can truly have their day and if the top teams continue to show a lack of respect to their lower league opposition in the coming rounds and the opposition plays the game of their lives and steps up to the challenge, maybe the FA CUP has yet more shocks in this years tournament; due to this le son still not being learnt. Starling Marte Jersey

The continue their free agent shopping spree, signing right tackle to a two-year contract. Per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, over the two-year contract with $2.25 million in base salaries each year, plus a $1 million roster bonus Richard Bleier Jersey if he's on the team on the third day of the 2021 league year. Wagner will also get a $250,000 workout bonus which can go up to $750,000. He also has a $2.75 million playtime base escalator in 2021.Wagner had been with Detroit since the 2017 season. He played the first four years of his career with thebefore signing a five-year, $47.5 million contract that included $17.5 million guaranteed with the Detroit Lions. He started all 40 games played with the .Signing Wagner indicates the Packers will be moving on from longtime right tackle , who started 111 of 115 games in his 10 seasons with the Packers. Bulaga, who will be 31 this week, was a first-round pick of the Packers in 2010.This is the latest free agent splash signing by the Packers over the past few seasons. Green Bay landed,andduring the first wave of free agency last offseason. Green Bay agreed to a two-year deal with earlier Monday and now signed Wagner to a two-year contract.Green Bay finished tied for 12th in the league with 36 sacks allowed on the season, but just 15th in the league in rushing. Adding Wagner is a cheaper option, but it remains to be seen if the Packers offensive line will improve in both those areas. Brad Brach Jersey

Few things enrapture football and music fans of a certain disposition quite like Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, one of the world's most high-profile couples.The NFL season is fast approaching. With supporters looking to quench their insatiable need for football and celebrity content, the Chiefs Todd Helton Jersey star and music mogul have once more taken their place under the spotlight.The latest buzz around Kelce and Swift's famous courtship revolves around Kansas City's tight end's potential involvement in Swift's latest music video, attached to the track "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart."MORE:The video, released on Aug. 20, features Swift practicing choreography for her vaunted Eras Tour. Kelce is rumored to take part in the festivities, allegedly lending support while sitting in the background of one shot in the video.Blurry clips were scattered all acro s X, the website formerly known as Twitter, with many Swift supporters claiming the bearded man who appeared to be watching on as Swift and her dancers pranced acro s a makeshift stage was indeed Kelce himself.Is it true? You be the judge.Omg Travis Kelces music video debut (@perfectlyfine89) Kelce has increased his presence at Swift's shows in recent months even going from purely a spectator to a member of the spectacle. The 34-year old pa s-catcher during one of Swift's shows at Wembley back in June.A spot in a music video one that will be replayed over and over until time immemorial would represent a major step up for Kelce and Swift's relationship.Then again, they've been dating for about a year at this point. Given Swift's musical stylings and Kelce's flair for the dramatic, a spot in Swift's video doesn't feel all that far-fetched.Perhaps we'll get a little more context regarding the Zapruder film-like images rumored to be Kelce on his "New Heights" podcast with brother Jason.MORE:"I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" music videoDid Taylor Swift change 'So Long, London' lyric for Travis Kelce?If Kelce did indeed take part in Swift's music video, she surely had to return the favor, right?Swift stans seem to think so, drawing an interesting conclusion after analyzing some of the lyrics their beloved icon crooned at her most recent showing at Wembley.MORE: While signing "So Long, London", a track rumored to revolve around her breakup with English actor Joe Alwyn, Swift opted to switch up some lyrics. Instead of singing, "You'll find someone," in the closing line of the song, Swift changed the lyric to, "I'll find someone," a swap that had ma ses of fans thinking she was talking about Kelce.Suffice to say, that section of the internet exploded once Swift's live performance hit the airwaves.WHEN SHE CHANGED THE LAST LYRIC FROM "YOU'LL FIND SOMEONE" TO "I'LL FIND SOMEONE" eME!rald iso eras tour tickets (@hushmirrorball) SO LONG, LONDON. I FOUND SOMEONE. mikaela (@tayviswarrior) me when taylor played so long london even tho everybody and their mother knew she was gonna play so long london annie (@hauntedtvv) travis now that taylor sang so long, london and shes headed straight home to him bethany tayronto n6 (@corneliastagain) Say it ain't so, Joe. Say it ain't so... Antonio Senzatela Jersey

Owner Kim Pegula has been named to the National Football League Foundation board, it was announced today. Pegula, who with her husband Terry purchased the earlier this year, will replace Mary Patrick Corbin Jersey Owen, former executive vice president of strategic planning and a member of the Wilson family.The NFL Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those involved in the game of football. The foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health and safety of athletes, youth football, and communities nationwide.A western New York native and mother of five, Pegula serves as president and chief executive officer of Pegula Sports & Entertainment, overseeing all aspects of the 12 sports and entertainment subsidiaries that comprise the company. "I am excited and proud to join the members of the NFL Foundation in their important philanthropic work," said Pegula. "I look forward to continuing the ' long-standing legacy on the Foundation board and supporting the league's unwavering commitment to this important endeavor."Pegula joins on the foundation board Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice president and chairman of the NFL Foundation; Michael Bidwill, president, ; Shahid Khan, owner, ; Arthur J. Rooney II, president, ; Jason Taylor, former player and 2007 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year; and Leonard Wilf, owner/vice chairman, . "One of our priorities is on healthy kids, healthy lifestyles and promoting the wellne s of football fans and their communities," said Anderson. "We know how important these i sues are to Kim. We are most pleased to have her join our mi sion to improve communities through the power of our sport."For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit: . -- NFL Communications Joe Ross Jersey

will be wearing a jersey next season and for the foreseeable future, according to San Francisco general manager John Lynch, who a sured reporters on Monday that the 26-year-old wideout was not on the trade block."I promise you, nothing's going on there," Lynch said."We're actively talking with Brandon, trying to figure something out," Lynch said when asked about where the Niners were in terms of solidifying a long-term extension with Aiyuk, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.ADVERTISEMENT "We have a good history of working with the guys we want to get done to get something done, and it takes two sides. So, can we do that? We'll see. There are a number of different directions that it could go but we appreciate the heck out of Brandon and who he Carlos Gomez Jersey is as a player, and we want him to be a part of the Niners. We're going to work towards making that a reality."Aiyuk signed a four-year, $12.5 million deal with San Francisco after being drafted No. 25 overall in the 2020 Draft. The team exercised a $14,124,000 team option for him in 2023.Aiyuk just came off of his best season yet 75 receptions, 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns and played a key role in the Niners' Super Bowl bid.According to Lynch, Aiyuk will continue to play a key role for the Niners, but it appears the receiver is waiting for some serious action to be taken. He posted a string of emojis on social media Monday that alluded to the fact that he would leave if he didn't get paid properly. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League San Francisco 49ers Brandon Aiyuk Keon Broxton Jersey

With their latest win , the on Sunday. In addition, the with .With both of last year's teams back , which one is more likely to return to Super Sunday? New England has a much easier road to Santa Clara. Currently , the Pats get a bye and could have two home games on the way to the . It's going to be tough for the to make it there because they'll be on the road all the way through the playoffs. The timing is bad for the with . Seattle is finding a rhythm at the right time, which is what the 'Hawks have done the last couple of years when Edwin Diaz Jersey they've gone to the . The offense is clicking, is playing arguably the best football of his career and the defense once again is playing like the Legion of Boom we're used to seeing. New England has the easier road. Even though the earlier in the season, I don't think will lose that potential matchup at home in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Seattle has to go through two of the best teams -- Carolina and Arizona -- . It's going to be really tough for the to get back. Even though the have to go on the road in the playoffs and win three games, I'd say Seattle. is playing at an MVP level , and the defense is finding its rhythm and identity. Poring over the matchups of the teams the 'Hawks could face in the playoffs, I don't see one opponent Seattle would fear. New England is a better team right now. Even with all the adversity the have faced, they have found ways to win. Seattle's playoff road will be tough because with good teams. The could weather the storm against Carolina, Arizona and po sibly Green Bay at home, but I don't think they can beat those three teams on the road in a row. Seattle Mariners Jersey

Throughout the course of his career with the , has never been shy about targeting his running back in the pa sing game. , and are just some of the backs that made a living off catching pa ses from Rivers out of the backfield and Lucas Giolito Jersey to tremendous succe s. As Rivers now starts a new chapter in Indy, the next beneficiary for that affinity to get his backs involved in the pa sing game could be .The 23-year-old is heading into his third season in the NFL after Indianapolis selected him in the fourth round out of NC State, which just so happens to be the alma mater of his new quarterback. So far, Hines has proven to be a capable third-down back for Indy, catching 107 pa ses over his two-year career. With Rivers now at the helm, Hines ."I'm very excited," Hines told the official team website about what the addition of Rivers could mean for his production in 2020. "Been waiting two or three years, just trying to catch balls and hopefully I get a little bit more opportunity. I'm going to try and earn that.""As a running back, we're the safety valve," he continued. "I've always thought I was the safety valve that can take a five-yard dump and turn it into 50. That's really what I've been planning on doing the last two years and hopefully show glimpses of it. I would love to do that this year and I think with Philip back there, there would be a great po sibility of it."Head coach Frank Riech throughout the course of the offseason and even highlighted a potential Danny Woodhead-like role within the offense for him on Monday."We used to say in San Diego that when we had Danny Woodhead. He was not our starter, he was our 'role playing' starter," said Reich, who was the Chargers offensive coordinator from 2014-2015. He played such a significant role. He had 80 catches in a year. You look at a guy like Nyehim Hines. We talk about Marlon and Jonathan, but what about Nyheim? He's such a good third-down back that he'll play a prominent (role). In some ways, (Hines) is a starter. He's a role-playing starter."Woodhead saw 106 targets during that 80-catch season in 2015 to go along with 755 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. Those would all be career marks for Hines, who owns a current career-high of 81 targets during his rookie season in 2018.The biggest obstacle for Hines to reach that potential may simply be carving out snaps. led the way for backfield in 2019, playing in 47.35% of the offensive snaps. Hines, meanwhile, played in 31.48% of the offensive snaps last year. After using a second-round pick on , who did catch 26 pa ses for 252 yards and five touchdowns for Wisconsin in 2019, the Colts will obviously fit him into the equation somewhere. For Hines, he should look to establish himself as the reliable third-down, receiving back early, leaving Taylor and Mack to duke it out for early-down work. If he can manage that, he is poised to have his best year yet. Chris Beck Jersey

The reportedly won't be looking to Ann Arbor, Mich., in their search for a head coach. The club has no intention of pursuing former coach Jim Harbaugh, now in his first year at Michigan, according to MMQB's Peter King.King reported Harbaugh's absence from coaching po sibilities Sunday during NBC's "Football Night in America", .It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Harbaugh wouldn't be on the team's list this time, although the didn't hide .The relationship fracture between Harbaugh and the , by itself, is enough to give any NFL club pause before taking Harbaugh on as a head coach anytime soon. His succe s at Stanford prior to joining the , plus Dellin Betances Jersey his 5-1 start in his first year with the Wolverines, suggests he is better suited for the college ranks. Harbaugh's personality clash with the shouldn't be as much of an i sue in college, where the annual roster turnover of roughly 25 percent ensures the former Wolverines quarterback will be around a lot of new faces, building new relationships, on a constant basis.As the report notes, owner Stephen Ro s attended Michigan and wouldn't want to disturb Harbaugh's quick revival of the program.Beyond that, the optics of Harbaugh, one of Michigan's favorite sons, bolting after one season would be awful. He's one of the highest-paid coaches in the college game, he's in an environment where he can thrive, and he's already winning.The question, as much as why the wouldn't want Harbaugh, is why Harbaugh would want to leave.*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *. Gio Gonzalez Jersey

If Ohio State coach Urban Meyer had hoped the beginning of the season would be the end of the quarterback controversy featuring junior Cardale Jones and sophomore J.T. Barrett, it was only wishful thinking. Jones played poorly against Northern Illinois on Saturday and, for the second week in a row, Barrett entered the game with the outcome still uncertain.And now, after completing 4 of 9 pa ses for 36 yards and a pair of interceptions in a 20-13 Ohio State win, Jones' status as Domingo Santana Jersey the starter looks uncertain, too. Barrett wasn't too effective either, completing 11 of 19 pa ses for 97 yards and threw an interception, as well. It took an interception return for a touchdown by OSU linebacker Darron Lee to put the game away.Asked after the game if he knows who is starting quarterback is, Meyer responded, "Good question. I don't know that right now."Fortunately for the Buckeyes, next week's game should offer every opportunity to make corrections: Western Michigan.Here are eight other things we learned in Week 3 of college football:2. Ford eats words. Midweek verbal barbs at LSU RB Leonard Fournette might not be such a good idea. Here's what Auburn safety Rudy Ford had to say about stopping the star sophomore in the days leading up to LSU's 45-21 win over the Tigers: "That shouldn't be difficult, that much, of a challenge," Ford said, . "We've got a great front seven and even on the back end we're all going to be ready to tackle, but our biggest thing is our energy level. As soon as we get off that bus, we're ready to tackle." Except, they weren't. Fournette of the game, setting up an of 228 yards on 19 carries. Ford, meanwhile, was panned for his words on Twitter far harder than he ever hit Fournette.3. Cook-to-Burbridge again. Every quarterback has a No. 1 receiver, but they don't all play like a No. 1 receiver. Michigan State QB Connor Cook is getting star-level play from Aaron Burbridge, and he turned in his best performance of the season Saturday in a 35-21 win over Air Force. Burbridge caught eight pa ses for 156 yards and caught three of Cook's four touchdown pa ses. Burbridge now has three 100-yard games in three weeks.4. Jackets jammed. The Georgia Tech triple-option offense that no defensive coordinator likes to face can be stopped, after all. After scoring 69 and 65 points in their first two games, the Yellow Jackets met their match at Notre Dame in a 30-22 lo s. The Fighting Irish defense held GT QB Justin Thomas to 27 yards on 11 carries, and didn't allow a 100-yard rusher among Tech's myriad of capable running backs. Meanwhile, it was ND rusher C.J. Prosise who was unstoppable (22 carries, 198 yards, three TDs).5. Harbaugh prevails. Michigan beat UNLV 28-7 Saturday as Jim Harbaugh improved to 2-1 in his first season against new Rebels coach Tony Sanchez, who was coaching in the high school ranks a year ago. Yes, Harbaugh Hater Nation would have reveled in an upset win by only the fourth high school coach to ever land a head job at an FBS program. Buckeyes fans (see above) had problems of their own, anyway.6. Record-setter. If you doubted new Georgia QB Greyson Lambert because he struggled at Virginia, witne s what an upgrade in surrounding talent can help accomplish: The graduate transfer broke an NCAA record for single-game completion percentage. In a 52-20 win over South Carolina, Lambert (96 percent). QB was the last player to tie the previous mark (23 of 24).7. Breaking Bielema. Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury had some for Arkansas coach Bret Bielema after Texas Tech knocked off the Razorbacks, 35-24. Kingsbury said Bielema trashed the spread offense, which the Red operate, at a Texas high school coaches' convention over the summer. It was, to say the least, a source of motivation for Kingsbury. 8. Alabama's QB problems are real. The Alabama quarterback duo of Jake CokerandCooper Bateman combined for three interceptions on Saturday, and Coker could have thrown at least a couple more on. The fifth-year senior Coker made some plays to keep Alabama in the game, including some nifty scrambles, but struggled with his accuracy (21 of 45). In , the Crimson Tide had plenty of other problems, including two special-teams turnovers, but turnovers are a fixable i sue. Questionable quarterbacking sometimes isn't.9. Luck runs out. After winning back-to-back games on desperation pa ses, BYU's good fortune came to an abrupt end Saturday in a 24-23 lo s to UCLA. Tanner Mangum's last pa s, this time, ended up in the hands of UCLA star LB Myles Jack.*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *. Hernan Perez Jersey