NFL roundup: Anthony Barr signs for guaranteed $12.7 million over four years

» After being picked ninth overall in the NFL draft, linebacker Anthony Barr officially signed with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, inking a fully guaranteed contract worth $12,743,596 over four years. He will get a signing bonus of $7,588,072, and the team can exercise a fifth-year option.

He and other former UCLA players must return to campus through spring quarter, however, since NFL rules dictate that anyone who hasn’t graduated cannot stay their teams until their school sessions end.

» Houston Texans sideline reporter John Harris said Xavier Su’a-Filo will become the starting left guard by Week 1, and be a “key figure” in the run game for at least the next five to seven years. Continue reading “NFL roundup: Anthony Barr signs for guaranteed $12.7 million over four years” »

Offensive lineman Xavier Su’a-Filo goes 33rd overall to Houston Texans

He had to wait a day, but the best offensive lineman in recent UCLA history now knows his professional destination.

Xavier Su’a-Filo became the 33rd overall pick of the NFL draft on Friday, going to the Houston Texans as the first pick of the second round. Although talk of a potential first-round selection didn’t materialize, Su’a-Filo remains the highest-drafted Bruin offensive lineman since Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden, the fourth overall pick in 1996. Continue reading “Offensive lineman Xavier Su’a-Filo goes 33rd overall to Houston Texans” »

Xavier Su’a-Filo talks UCLA pro day, rising draft stock

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According to UCLA head coach Jim Mora, a pair of NFL scouts called Xavier Su’a-Filo the best guard coming out in the draft since Steve Hutchinson — high praise considering that the seven-time Pro Bowler was selected 13 years ago.

Though the other 30 teams may not feel as strongly, the versatile offensive lineman has generated some first-round buzz over the past few weeks. “Going to the combine, a lot of people didn’t really know who I was,” he said. “What a lot of people really want to see me improve, is clean up my pass protection and learn different schemes.”

Offensive lineman Xavier Su’a-Filo declares for NFL draft

UCLA’s most talented offensive lineman is heading to the pros.

In a decision that even he acknowledged was widely “suspected,” junior Xavier Su’a-Filo announced on Twitter that he will declare for the 2014 NFL draft. Already 23 years old, his eligibility was pushed back by a two-year Mormon mission.

Winner of the Morris Trophy for Pac-12’s top offensive lineman, the 6-foot-3, 304 pound Utah native manned both left guard and left tackle for the Bruins this season. He will play the former as a pro, but moved to the outside halfway through the season due to numerous injuries. Continue reading “Offensive lineman Xavier Su’a-Filo declares for NFL draft” »