Kyle Love
Encyclopedia
Kyle Love is an American football
nose tackle for the New England Patriots
of the National Football League
(NFL). He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football
at Mississippi State
.
, where his father was stationed as an officer in the United States Army
. He attended North Clayton High School
in College Park, Georgia
, where he was a four-year starter on the school's football team. He was honored as the team's Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2003, and as Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2004.
, where he played in seven games as a reserve defensive lineman as a true freshman in 2006, finishing the season with seven tackles. In 2007, Love started 9 of 13 games at defensive tackle, recording 17 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and a fumble recovery. As a junior in 2008, Love made two starts along the defensive line, appearing in 12 games overall and finishing with 14 tackles and two sacks. Love started 12 games as a senior in 2009, recording a career-high 19 tackles.
, Love signed with the New England Patriots
. He became one of only two undrafted rookies to make the Patriots' 2010
, opening day roster, and made his NFL debut as a reserve in Week 2 against the New York Jets
. He was then inactive until Week 10, when he filled in for an injured Myron Pryor
as a defensive line reserve. Love made his first career start in the Patriots' season finale against the Miami Dolphins
. He finished his rookie season with seven tackles and one sack in nine games played.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
nose tackle for the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
.
Early years
Love was born in South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, where his father was stationed as an officer in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He attended North Clayton High School
North Clayton High School
North Clayton High School is a four-year public high school located in College Park, Georgia, United States, as part of the Clayton County Public Schools....
in College Park, Georgia
College Park, Georgia
College Park is a city located partly in Fulton County, Georgia and partially in Clayton County, Georgia, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,942...
, where he was a four-year starter on the school's football team. He was honored as the team's Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2003, and as Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2004.
College career
Following high school, Love attended Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, where he played in seven games as a reserve defensive lineman as a true freshman in 2006, finishing the season with seven tackles. In 2007, Love started 9 of 13 games at defensive tackle, recording 17 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and a fumble recovery. As a junior in 2008, Love made two starts along the defensive line, appearing in 12 games overall and finishing with 14 tackles and two sacks. Love started 12 games as a senior in 2009, recording a career-high 19 tackles.
New England Patriots
After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
, Love signed with the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. He became one of only two undrafted rookies to make the Patriots' 2010
2010 New England Patriots season
The 2010 New England Patriots season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League and 51st season overall. The Patriots improved on their 10–6 record from 2009 by finishing with a league-best 14–2 record and clinching the top seed in the AFC, before losing to the New York Jets...
, opening day roster, and made his NFL debut as a reserve in Week 2 against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was then inactive until Week 10, when he filled in for an injured Myron Pryor
Myron Pryor
Myron Pryor is an American football nose tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kentucky....
as a defensive line reserve. Love made his first career start in the Patriots' season finale against the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He finished his rookie season with seven tackles and one sack in nine games played.