Jamar Chaney

Jamar Antwon Chaney (born October 11, 1986) is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mississippi State.

Early years
Chaney attended St. Lucie West Centennial High School, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he starred as a linebacker and defensive end on defense and tight end on offense. His senior season was cut short to just six games by Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne, which both made direct hits near Port St. Lucie in September 2004. Chaney still managed to compile 65 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks, and added eight pass receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns at tight end. In his junior year he tallied 120 tackles with six sacks, a school-record 22 tackles for loss and five caused fumbles. He set West Centennial's career record with 31 quarterback sacks.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Chaney was listed as the No. 29 outside linebacker prospect in the nation. He originally committed to the University of Georgia, but was denied admission because the Georgia admissions department thought his 1260 SAT score was far higher than someone with a 2.9 GPA should achieve. He was released from his scholarship and chose Mississippi State over Florida, among others.

College career
As a true freshman at Mississippi State, Chaney played in all 11 games, earned three starting calls at weakside linebacker, and totalled 31 tackles on the season. By his sophomore year, he ranked at the top of the depth chart at WLB and played in all 12 games. He finished the 2006 season with 66 total tackles, including seven and one-half for loss (minus 27 yards), two and one-half of which were quarterback sacks (minus 17 yards).

For his junior campaign, Chaney was switched to the middle linebacker position, where he played all 13 games for the Bulldogs. He led the team with 89 total tackles, including three and one-half for loss (minus 5 yards). Chaney tied for 15th in the SEC in tackles per game (6.8) and earned Second Team All-SEC honors by the league’s coaches. In Mississippi State's 2008 season opener Chaney registered a team-best 12 tackles, his third career double-digit tackle performance, but suffered a leg injury on the next-to-last snap of the game. X-rays later confirmed a broken fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle, and he later received a medical redshirt for the season to regain his final season of eligibility.

Rivals.com listed Chaney as the most underrated player in the Southeastern Conference in 2009.

Chaney was invited to participate in the 2010 Senior Bowl on January 30, 2010. In the game he made eight tackles and recovered a fumble, and was named the Defensive Player of the Game for the South team.

Pre-draft
Chaney worked out in Miami, Florida with trainer Pete Bommarito to improve his speed in the 40-yard dash; at the NFL Combine he ran the distance in 4.54 seconds, the fastest among all linebackers. According to NFL draft analyst Chris Steuber, Chaney's experience playing outside earlier in his career could help him play on the strong side or as a 3-4 middle linebacker in the NFL.

Philadelphia Eagles
Chaney was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round (220th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was signed to a four-year contract on June 4, 2010. After starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley suffered a disclocated elbow in the second quarter of a week 14 game against the Dallas Cowboys on December 12, Chaney filled in for him and led the team with seven tackles. Chaney is expected to start at middle linebacker for the remainder of the season while Bradley recovers. Chaney made his first NFL start against the New York Giants, and he recorded 16 tackles, 12 of them being solo tackles. After his start, NFL analyst Brian Baldinger said Chaney was, "already one of the best middle linebackers in the league", and that he's "phenomenal in all phases of the game".