Photo via Boston Globe

Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn joined some select company Thursday night, as the AFC champion New England Patriots selected the St. Petersburg, Florida, native and former Lakewood High School standout with the 23rd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Beyond Blessed! #GoPats pic.twitter.com/YVOzPr4NJc

— Isaiah Wynn (@iwynn77) April 27, 2018

RELATED CONTENT: NFL Draft 2018: First round loaded with multi-sport athletes

Wynn became the sixth U.S. National Team alum to be chosen in the first round, joining David Wilson (New York Giants, 2012), Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2015), Todd Gurley (St. Louis Rams, 2015), Malcom Brown (New England Patriots, 2015) and Corey Coleman (Cleveland Browns, 2016).

"I was shocked ... my heart dropped, of course, because at the moment you’re nervous," Wynn told the Boston Globe. "But as soon as I started talking to coach (Bill) Belichick and (owner Bob) Kraft, it went good. I was just excited and my family couldn’t contain themselves, either."

The night got even better for Wynn, as fellow Georgia Bulldog and running back Sony Michel joined the Patriots with the 31st pick.

Our night in one photo.

Go Dawgs? #PatsDraft pic.twitter.com/q61mVCVmlp

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 27, 2018

With the departure of longtime New England left tackle Nate Solder, Wynn could assume that position or play guard.

"We’ll put him in the mix and see how it goes," Patriots Director of Personnel Nick Caserio said.

The NFL Draft continues today and Saturday, with National Team alums Harrison Phillips (DT, Stanford), Shaquem Griffin (LB, Central Florida), Wyatt Teller (OL, Virginia Tech), Justin Jackson (RB, Northwestern) and Kamryn Pettway (RB, Auburn) awaiting their big moment.

Louisville extends offers to 7 players from one Arizona high school

Saguaro defensive back Brandon Shivers. (Photo via BeRecruited.com)

Richard Obert of AZ Central Sports reports Louisville offered football scholarships to seven Scottsdale Saguaro players on Tuesday — defensive backs Brandon Shivers and Nate Polk, outside linebacker Seth Robinson and tight end Hayden Hatten from the Class of 2019; and offensive linemen Tye Kassen and Jaylan Jeffers, and defensive back Kelee Ringo of the Class of 2020. New Mexico State also offered Saguaro 2019 linebacker/strong safety Connor Soelle.

"It's really incredible," said Saguaro coach Jason Mohns, whose team is full of players currently competing in track. "We have four others who have already received D-I offers and another four to five that I expect to pick up offers this spring.

"It's a testament to not only the talent, but also the work ethic and dedication of all of the players and coaches in our program. Coaches know they can come to Saguaro and find talented, hard-working student-athletes who have the academics and character to be successful at the next level. I'm very proud."

RELATED CONTENT: [PODCAST] NFL Draft prospect high school coaches: Jason Mohns (Christian Kirk's coach)

Cancer didn't stop Wisconsin high school football player

Photo via USA Today High School Network

Tom Dombeck of the Sheboygan Press tells the story of Plymouth High School senior Bryce Ladwig, who was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer when he was 6 years old, a brain infection that later put him in a coma, and a degenerative disease in his left leg as he entered ninth grade.

Throughout, Ladwig had the goal of returning to the gridiron.

"If you asked me freshman year, I probably would have said I wouldn’t be able to play again after that surgery ... it just hurt not being able to play," he said. 

Play he did. After two years of recovery, he took field in a reserve role as a junior and started as a senior.

"It made him feel like he belonged to something," mother Sara Knoflicek said. "It made him a healthier person."

Bryce Ladwig, with parents Craig Ladwig and Sara Knoflicek. (Photo via USA Today High School Network)

Ladwig, who earned the National High School Spirit of Sport Award presented by the National Federation of State High School Associations, will attend Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois.

His words of advice?

"Never give up, there’s always hope."

Mississippi women's tackle football team to debut this weekend

Photo via Clarion Ledger

Lici Beveridge of the Clarion Ledger says the Mississippi Royalty from Hattiesburg will play their inaugural game Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama, against the Alabama Fire. The Women's Football Alliance squad includes a couple dozen women, including police officers Tamica Hill, Lashaundra Buckhalter and Jazz Hoadley. 

Tiffany Spencer, 37, is an experienced player who searched around four years ago for an area team before finding one in New Orleans.

"I wanted to find a contact sport to release some stress and energy," Spencer said. "It's fun. I always wanted to play football, but my mama never wanted me to play with the boys."

Team owner Tyre Brown hopes the program will attract more players as word spreads.

"I want people to see that Title IX is in existence here in Mississippi," Brown said. "There are equal rights for women to be able to play. There are several women on this team who have always desired to play football but were told no. Now they have that opportunity to live that dream."