The New England Patriots are getting their first look at No. 3 overall draft pick Drake Maye in training camp this week, and they’re hoping he will become a worthy successor to the legendary Tom Brady.
Their training camp opened up for rookies on Friday, and they will get to see if Maye will become the franchise-type quarterback that Mac Jones wasn’t able to consistently be over the last few years.
On Friday, New England had two undrafted rookie free agents unable to work out: linebacker Jontrey Hunter and running back Terrell Jennings, per Doug Kyed.
They placed Hunter on the non-football injury list and Jennings on the PUP list.
The #Patriots placed UDFA LB Jontrey Hunter on the non-football injury list and UDFA RB Terrell Jennings on the PUP list. Rookies reported for training camp today.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) July 19, 2024
Hunter played six seasons of college football at George State University, and in 53 games there, he totaled six sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, eight passes defended, seven forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
In 2023, he was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference team with 96 tackles (51 solo), seven tackles for loss, four passes defended, three forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks.
In four years at Florida A&M University, Jennings accumulated 1,754 rushing yards, 163 receiving yards, and 25 total touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
He ran for 673 yards and 10 touchdowns on an average of 5.6 yards per carry in 2022, his senior season.
After their worst season in some 30 years last year, the Patriots are going to have a somewhat different look this season.
Longtime head coach Bill Belichick is gone and has been replaced by Jerod Mayo, while Ezekiel Elliott, their leading rusher in 2023, departed this offseason to return to the Dallas Cowboys.
It will be a long trip back to the top for New England, but they can take their first step there this year by nurturing their young players such as Maye.
