Forty-Niners Draft Louisiana's Jaden Dugger

0:00It's April 25th. This is NFL News Today, AI-powered stories shaping the season. The San Francisco 49ers just scooped up Louisiana inside linebacker Jaden Dugger with the 154th overall pick in the 5th. Round of the 2026 NFL Draft. This marks the 5th Ragan Cajun selected in 6 years, and Dugger is the first linebacker from the program to ever hear his name called on draft. Dugger started his college ball at Georgetown in the FCS, earning all conference nods before transferring to the Sunbelt. He spent two seasons with the Louisiana, breaking out big time in 2025 with 125 tackles, 14th in the FBS Plus. 13 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, an interception, and 3 pass breakups. Fans and scouts are buzzing about his rise, especially after first team all Sunbelt honors, and an invite to the East West Shrine Bowl. He got snubbed from the NFL Combine, but that didn't slow him down. He lit up pro day with a 4.6040 yard dash, a 10 foot 6 broad, jump, and a 34.5 inch vertical.

1:08At 6 foot 5 and 242 pounds, with a 7 foot wingspan, Dugger's built like a freak for an inside backer. He joins the 49ers defense hit hard by injuries last year, learning behind all pro-fraid Warner, who's healing from a dislocated ankle and battling. Tatum Bethune for snaps right away. Dugger's a second Sunbelt player off the board this draft, topping last year's one pick with Georgia State's Ted Hurst also gone. Louisiana keeps producing pros, keeping that Reagan cage and pipeline flowing strong into the league.