The New England Patriots just scooped up undrafted rookie linebacker Riley Wilson, finally getting him under an NFL contract. But man, his journey to Foxborough was wild, almost ending before it really started. Wilson actually came close to signing with the Buccaneers earlier this offseason, but a hip injury sidelined that deal completely after he failed his medical. Talk about a gut punch. After three months in limbo, the kid finally has a pro home, though the real test of how long he stays on that roster starts right now.
From Hawaii to Foxborough: A Journey of Grit
This guy’s path to the NFL is a roller coaster. Wilson, whose dad Buddy played at Ohio State back in the early 80s, bounced around college football a bit. He was a three-star recruit coming out of Prestonwood Christian in Plano, TX, where he played both wide receiver and linebacker. He originally committed to Hawaii over offers from Indiana and Louisiana Tech, spending three seasons there and playing in 16 games with one start. Needing a change, he hit the transfer portal in January 2023, landing at Montana. He got more opportunities there, playing 23 games with 13 starts and even snagging a spot on the second All-Big Sky team. But before his final year, he was on the move again, taking his talents to Arizona, adding another 11 games and four starts to his college resume. After all that, he went undrafted in 2026, staying unsigned for three long months as a free agent, until the Patriots called right before training camp. You gotta respect that grind, fighting through injuries and transfers to keep chasing the dream.
Speed Kills: What Wilson Brings to the Field
So, what’s got the Patriots buying in, especially after that injury scare? It’s all about his speed and insane versatility. Wilson blazed a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at his Arizona pro day. Think about that for a second: that time would have been the eighth-fastest among *all* Combine linebackers this year, putting him in the 92nd percentile for his position historically. That’s serious wheels! He uses that speed everywhere: dropping back in coverage, chasing down runs, and rushing from the edge. The dude is flexible, capable of handling multiple assignments because he’s got good awareness, quick reactionary skills, and a solid technical foundation. Whether he’s pass rushing, defending the run, or tearing it up on special teams, he’s proven he can do it.
Now, as Wilson suits up in number 51 at Gillette Stadium for training camp, the real battle begins. He’s 24 years old, 6’1 3/8″ and 226 lbs, and he’s got all that raw athletic talent. But can he turn that into a roster spot? It’s all on the line right now. Every rep, every drill, every play is a chance for him to show why that hip injury was just a bump in the road and why he belongs in the NFL. We’ll be watching to see if this undrafted grinder can make some noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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