There’s seven more players that will forever be able to say they were drafted by the New England Patriots.
After adding Will Campbell on Thursday night and TreVeyon Henderson, Kyle Williams and Jared Wilson on Friday, the Patriots maneuvered up and down the board a bit on the final day of the 2025 NFL Draft and came away with four defensive players, a tackle, a long snapper and a kicker.
Here are some of the best quotes from each guy as they met with the media one-by-one throughout the afternoon and evening:
Craig Woodson, S, Cal
“I have the experience with both sides of the safety range…with the man coverage they do, and just putting me at a single high or putting quarters, I think I have comfortability with that and just making the communication because that’s safeties. You’ve got to be able to make the calls and have a mental aspect of just knowing everything’s coming fast. You’ve got to be able to communicate and say the right things and get everybody lined up. That’s what I do best. At Cal, we ran pretty much everything, like I said. So, I don’t think it’s going to be anything too difficult for me. I think I’m going to come in and really transition easily.”
“So, whatever they need me to do on special teams in New England, I’m there for it. I’m not the type of player who’s like, ‘I’m too good for special teams,’ or trying to run away from it. Special teams is another extension of defense in my mind. So, being able to set the defense up for good field position or even the offense when it comes to special teams. You’ve got to take advantage of that and put me on the field on special teams. I’m going down there and will make a play.”
“Hitting people is what I’ve been liking to do since I was a kid. When I first started playing football, just growing up, hitting somebody, smacking them, getting them on the ground, that’s everything that I’ve loved since the kid. Coming into college and being physical as well, coming from Texas as well. We played physical football down in Texas. Bringing that to college at Cal, it was great. I think for me, that’s really the thrill of the game, just running and hitting. That’s what I love, running and hitting. I’m going to love bringing that to New England. I know there’s guys there who are going to be on the same page. That’s my number one thing that I do. I think I can bring versatility when it comes to coverage, just being in the deep post or being in the deep half. I had some interceptions in the deep half this year, making plays on the ball. I think for me, I really have the versatility to do anything and even match up with a receiver if it comes down to it. For me, my play style is really anywhere. I don’t think there’s anything that I can’t do on the field. I’m just ready to show that to Patriots Nation.”
Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
“It’s amazing, man. It’s what I dreamed of, to play in the NFL. Once I got past round two, everybody knew I was projected to go in the first two rounds. Once I got past two, I just knew I wanted to be at a great organization. It’s a great thing, a great fit for me. Coach Clint [McMillan], the defensive line coach there, he coached me in college. He was my first offer at Florida State. Honestly, man, I’m just blessed. My whole life, I just had to come behind the sticks and I’m just happy to be off the board. I know they got Coach T [Terrell Williams] there. What he did at Detroit and how he got those guys going. I’m just happy to be there, man. Coach Vrabel, he’s a trench guy, so I got everything I can imagine. Boston is a perfect place to go and just focus. It’s not Florida, it’s just a place you can go and just thrive. I’m just ready to get there, just take over and do my best and give my all to the team.”
“I’ll describe me as a tough relentless player. I’m just ready to give my all. They’re going to get a tough defensive tackle. I think it was probably 17 defensive tackles taken in front of me. Everybody in the world knows that’s not how it’s supposed to go. I’m just ready to get there and prove everybody wrong and be the best me every day. That’s all I can say. I’m just blessed and God did this for a reason. Everything happens for a reason and I wouldn’t want it to go any other way. I’m blessed.”
“I was coming down with that (chip) anyway, but yeah, it grew bigger. I’m in the right situation. Me and Milton and Christian [Barmore]. We got some dogs now. It’s not going to be the same. We should be bringing back the old New England…I think you see a lot of guys go to New England and they like to stay there. It’s the reason people like to be there, like to thrive there. When it’s time to be up, they want to be there. That’s how I look at New England. me, Will [Campbell], and the other draft picks. I think we’re coming and we’re going to change some things. Milton and I, I think we’re going to bring back the old New England.”
Bradyn Swinson, LB, LSU
“At first, my phone wasn’t ringing, so I had to go with my dad’s. I just heard my dad shuffling around in excitement and everything. I’m sitting outside on the deck just trying to get my mind right. He comes in here talking about [inaudible], so when I saw him moving around, I got real excited. Just to even be picked to the organization like this is just amazing to me. Cried real tears when I got there. Cried real tears when I got there. It’s just a surreal moment. It’s just a moment where I worked hard for everything I did in my life. I worked hard for it, and it’s been a journey. Just because what pick it was, I don’t care what pick it was, I got picked, and I’m just excited to be here and work.”
“(Patriots fans can expect) a player that’s going to do whatever the team needs. You’re going to get a dog, though. You’re getting a dog. That’s off rip. You got a steal. Honestly, just a guy that’s going to work hard every day, and is going to handle his 1-11, and is looking to help change the culture there, and add to the winning that’s going on. You’re getting a dog, for sure.”
(On carrying a football everywhere he goes) “Yes, I do. It’s actually upstairs right now, but I can’t walk around with it anymore, it’s a Washington Commanders ball. I need a Patriots ball. Every year, I had a guy named Sherman [Wilson]. He gave me a ball at LSU. I got it from Jayden Daniels, because Jayden Daniels used to carry his dream everywhere. You always want to carry your dream everywhere. I started doing it my last year at LSU, carrying it around with me everywhere. When I go to the grocery store and I go to the mall, go anywhere, I have a ball with me. Keeping the ball close. I just believe the ball is the program. When I started doing that, got to game days, everything started getting surreal. When you start punching the ball out of you, you’re used to seeing the ball. When you holding the ball so much, you get to know the different spots on the ball.”
“I haven’t even got a chance to really talk to (former LSU teammate) Will (Campbell), yet. I’m waiting to call him. I had to jump up, and this is the first thing I did. I jumped on here with you guys, just to meet you guys. I haven’t even really looked at my phone or anything, just been embracing time with my family. Just to be on the same team with Will again, is just—he’s an amazing player. It’s right back to battling how we used to do in the old days. We were at the same school for two years. It’s exciting to get back to work with him.”
Andres Borregales, K, Miami
“I mean, I’m excited. All my life, I looked up to Adam Vinatieri, a legend, honestly. Especially all those kicks in the snow and clutch kicks in the snow, actually. I can’t wait to experience that. I know a lot of people thought that, obviously being from Miami, I can’t handle the cold. I think I can prove people wrong about that.”
“He (John Parker Romo) went to Virginia Tech. I played him my freshman year. We trained with the same coach, Adam Tanalski. I’m good friends with him. I’m excited to get in there and we’ll compete, and may the best man win. At the end of the day, that’s still my guy.”
“Really, it just comes down to short-term memory. If you miss one, OK, so be it, on to the next, and just continue that streak. Even if it is a game winning kick, celebrate for a time because you got to enjoy the good times too. The very next day, now it’s time to get back to work because you never know what comes in the future. As a kicker, I had this saying. It’s a, “one shot, one kill” mentality. You get one shot just to make a field goal.”
Marcus Bryant, T, Missouri
“Man, it was like a dream come true. I didn’t think it was real. I was just in my living room, watching the draft, preparing for the future and boom, they called me, and it was a surreal moment. It was crazy.”
“You’ve got to love the Patriots (history). Just growing up, watching them, and watching the culture of the team just grow as the years go. I think it was a hell of a choice to go over there, just knowing what the culture was growing up. I’m excited.”
“Man, I’m going to be honest. I didn’t think it was going to happen at first. They really wanted me. They took the chance on me, and I owe it all to them.”
“Man, I’m going to give them my all, you know what I’m saying? Every single time I’m on the field, I’m going to give them everything I got. I’m going to protect. I’m going to run block. I’m going to do whatever it takes. I’m going to do my job and come out on top every time.”
Julian Ashby, LS, Vanderbilt
“We (Ashby and Joe Cardona) haven’t met or interacted in the past, but definitely a guy who I’ve watched a lot of tape on who paved the way for snappers and has had a great career. I’m excited to meet, work with, learn from and try to help the football team however I can. When I get up there, that’ll be the first time that we’ve met each other.”
“I’ve been able to see New England win a number of Super Bowls. A lot of those have been involving specialists who’ve been really consistent over the years. Certainly some great tradition and a lot of names there that I’d recognize if you threw them at me. It’s a high standard, which I think is a great expectation to walk into and looking forward to doing my part to keep the line of great specialists through New England going.”
“Like I said, we (Ashby and Jeremy Springer) had an opportunity to work out together and he pushed me hard. That’s what excites me about this opportunity. I know he’s a young and energetic coach, but he’s got a great resume and some really good experience. I know that I’ll be able to learn from him and develop really quickly. We’ll be ready to play football when the time comes. Super excited to work with Coach Springer.”
Kobee Minor, DB, Memphis
“Man, it’s just a blessing. I’ve been waiting all day. I didn’t know if I was going to get the call or not. I ended up waiting until the last pick and I ended up getting that call. My heart was racing. So, I’m thankful.”
“To me, I love (being picked last) because I’ve never been a highly recruited guy. I’ve never been one of the top guys. So, really this isn’t anything new to me. I’m going to just go out here and do what I got to do, put my head down and grind, like I’ve always have. I love (the Mr. Irrelevant title), actually. It’s just fuel to my fire. I’m going to just continue to work and I’m excited for this opportunity.”
“I was raised from a two-parent household, and I was just taught to always do the right thing, and good things will happen. Treat people with respect, and everything will go the way you plan if you just keep God first. That’s just what I live by day in, day out.”