NFL Combine 2012: Utah State Linebacker Bobby Wagner to Miss Combine

When the defensive linemen and linebackers take the field at this week's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, they will do so without one of the stars of last month's Senior Bowl, as Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner will be unable to participate due to an illness.

According to FOX Sports, the 6'1", 232-pound senior, who recorded 7 tackles and an interception en route to being named MVP of the North team at the Senior Bowl, has been hospitalized in Arizona with pneumonia and will not only not be able to participate at the combine, but he may miss Utah State's March 8 pro day as well.

The news comes as a big blow to the 21-year-old Wagner, who was hoping to build on his sterling showing in Mobile with a strong workout at the combine, as Wagner explained recently to the Deseret News.

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I'm very blessed and extremely honored to be invited to the combine. It is a dream come true, and I'm excited to make the most of this opportunity. I'm honored to represent Utah State on this national stage and try to prove that players from small schools can shine as much as anyone else. I've been working extremely hard for this weekend and am going to give it everything I've got.

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Wagner, who was named an All-WAC performer for the third straight season in 2011 after racking up 147 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions for the Aggies a year ago, is considered one of the top five inside linebackers in this year's draft class.

He is expected to be a second- or third-round pick in this April's draft.

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