Last year, the New England Patriots streak of 19 straight years with an undrafted rookie making the 53-man roster out of training camp came to an end, but it started again in 2024.
On Tuesday, undrafted rookie defensive back Dell Pettus found out that he made the roster after impressing coaches and teammates throughout training camp and the preseason.
“I didn’t get a phone call,” a smiling Pettus said (via. The Boston Herald) “I just knew the deadline was 4 p.m. (Tuesday), and I didn’t get a phone call. 4 p.m. hit, I kind of just sat around and looked, like, ‘What’s going on?’ I got a call from Brenden Schooler and somebody else who went through this process, and we talked on the phone. I was like, ‘I didn’t get a call.’ He’s like, ‘Then you’re good, man.’”
Pettus spent five years at Troy before declaring for the NFL draft. In 63 career games in college, he recorded 315 tackles (7.5 for a loss), 13 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one sack. He even earned Second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2023.
The 23-year-old believed he had done enough to hear his name called during the three days of the draft, but, unfortunately, the moment never came, and he ended up signing with New England not long after.
“Honestly, I was pissed off because I felt like I should have been selected higher, or just selected in general,” he said. “But God has a plan for everybody, and I just kept that chip on my shoulder that I felt like I was slighted. And honestly, that chip isn’t gone, because I’m here, I’ve got my foot in the door, but I’m not finished. I feel that wholeheartedly. I’ve got a lot of goals for myself. I’ve got a lot of ambition and drive, and I’m going to take it day by day and continue to show everybody why I’m supposed to be here.”
The Patriots may need Pettus early in the season, as he's the team's fourth safety on the depth chart with Marte Mapu being placed on injured reserve to start the year and Schooler playing more special teams.
By making the roster, Pettus has already proved many people wrong, and this is just the start for him.
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