Kyle Love

Kyle William Love (born November 18, 1986) is an American football defensive lineman 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.

Early years
Love was born in South Korea, 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.

College career
Following high school, Love attended Mississippi State University, 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.

2010 season
After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, Love signed with the New England Patriots. He became one of two undrafted rookies to make the Patriots' 2010, opening day roster (the other was linebacker Dane Fletcher), 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.

2011 season
Love took a bigger role in the Patriots' defense in 2011, as he was active for all 16 games. In the Patriots' 3-4 defense, they often used Love at nose tackle, moving Vince Wilfork to defensive end. He started 13 regular-season games, becoming a regular season in the Patriots' Week 4 game against the Oakland Raiders. Love finished the season with 33 tackles and three sacks; in the Patriots' 45–10 playoff rout of the Denver Broncos, Love recorded his first pass defended. Love led the Patriots to Super Bowl XLVI but the Patriots would eventually lose to the New York Giants 17-21.

2012 season
Love played all 16 games combining with Vince Wilfork as a double defensive tackle combo. Love had 25 tackles and 1.5 sacks during the 2012 season. The Patriots would go on to the AFC Championship for the second straight year but lost to the Baltimore Ravens 13-28.