With the 2024 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the next key date on the New England Patriots schedule is rookie minicamp. The session is set to begin on May 10. Are the Patriots looking to celebrate their No. 3 overall pick with the date that minicamp starts, or is it just a coincidence? Assuming it’s intentional seems more fun.
The rookie minicamp will feature the Patriots draft class and the undrafted free agents signed by New England. Several other prospects have received invitations to attend rookie minicamp as well. A look at the eight known invitees at this time:
Devin Adams, DL/P (Peru State)
Adams is a big man who was a disruptive force in college. In three seasons with Peru State he earned first-team All-Conference twice each at punter and defensive line. He was also named the conference Defensive Player of the Year twice. In three seasons the 6-foot-0, 283-pound Adams had 156 tackels (94 solo), 59 TFL, and 20.5 sacks. He averaged 39.9 yards on 126 punts. He added 161 yards passing and 97 yards rushing for good measure.
Trajan Bandy, CB (Miami, Fla.)
Trajan Bandy is four years removed from his time with the Hurricanes, where he was a two-time All-ACC third-team selection. After going undrafted in 2020, Bandy spent time with the practice squads of both the Steelers and Bengals. He signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL before the 2023 season, but it does not appear he ever played for them.
Vince Blanchard, PK/P (Laval)
Blanchard attended Laval University in Canada and earned second-team All-Canadian honors. The 25-year-old hit 79% of his field goal attempts in 2023 with a long of 49 yards. He was perfect on 28 PAT attempts. New England bringing a second kicker to training camp, whether Blanchard or a veteran, is expected.
John Davis, Jr., CB (North Texas)
Davis was a key special teams player for North Texas. He was preseason first-team All-Conference USA in 2022 but injured his knee in the season opener and was done for the year. He was a solid special teams contributor.
Terrell Jennings, RB (Florida A&M)
At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, Terrell Jennings has good size. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry in 2023 and scored 10 touchdowns. He finished his four-year career with 1,754 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns. Terrell Jennings happens to be a childhood friend of DeMario Douglas as well.
Jay Person, ED (Chattanooga)
Person produced consistently for Chattanooga. The Southern Conference named him Defensive Player of the Year the past two seasons. Over the past three seasons, Jay Person amassed 168 tackles (96 solo), 23.0 sacks, 46.5 tackles-for-loss, and seven forced fumbles. College teammate of New England Patriots guard Cole Strange.
Teldrick Ross, DB (Middle Tennessee)
The 5-foot-11, 194-pound corner has substantial experience. He played in 52 games for Middle Tennessee, starting 36. Ross recorded 40 pass breakups in his college career. His 4.35 40-yard dash time is certainly work a look at minicamp.
Tariq Stewart, OL (North Carolina A&T)
Stewart earned All-Big South first-team honors in 2022 and All-CAA second-team honors in 2023 after his school switched conferences. He possesses good size at 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds. His limited arm length has some projecting him as a guard at the next level, though he played right tackles in college. The New England Patriots value positional versatility, so Stewart will get a chance to show he has it.
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