FOXBOROUGH – Quintayvious Hutchins could not have been happier to see Jeremiah Franklin when he walked into the locker room of the New Balance Athletics Center next to Gillette Stadium last week.

Hutchins – the Patriots’ 7th-round draft pick in April – was thrilled to see a former teammate in Franklin, who was added to the tight ends’ room last Friday.

“When I see him walk in, it was just all joy, tears and smiles,” Hutchins said after Day 7 of training camp on Saturday. “I saw the work he put in, going from not playing at BC to getting an opportunity to play in the NFL after going undrafted. I’m very proud of him.

“It’s good to have a BC man next to me in the meeting rooms, the special teams meeting rooms and both of us are just trying to stack days.”

When Hutchins says ‘next to’ him, he means it literally. They sit next to each other in those team meetings.

“It was great. I dapped up Q and he was like ‘oh man I’m so happy!” said Franklin of the initial encounter. “He was just telling me how happy he was and we sit together in the team meeting room, so it’s always good to see him, man.”

While leaning on each other at times to get through the newness, both Franklin and Hutchins were quick to point out just how helpful everyone in the building has been. There’s no ‘earn your stripes on your own’ mentality, but more of a ‘we’ll make sure you get better while you’re here’ type of thing.

“The older guys help you out and put you under their wing throughout the whole process,” Hutchins said. “I feel like the (acclimation) process has been good, it’s been moving.”

“Everybody here’s been super cool and easy to work with,” added Franklin. “It’s helped me adjusting from college…not even just the tight ends room, but just like, the whole Patriots organization, they have a winning mindset and they’re here to work.”

You always hear that the speed of the game is the biggest thing for college guys to get adjusted to. So, is that true?

“Yes,” Hutchins said bluntly. “Everything is fast. It’s all super fast-paced. It slows down, but it also picks up, so it’s just about being on top of the speed of the game.”

It’s a good thing both guys played in an NFL-style program under Bill O’Brien.

Each of them couldn’t have had higher praise for the BC staff and how prepared they felt for their moments in the league.

“It’s what Coach O’Brien got us ready for, coming to the next level,” said Hutchins. “The practices, waking up early, coming in and treating your body. I feel like with that experience, coming in as a rookie is a lot like coming into college as a freshman.”

“His program definitely helped a ton, No. 1 just in terms of knowledge,” Franklin said. “Just being ready to change from college to the NFL. He demands things and it’s really how they demand it here. I thank (O’Brien) a lot for everything he was able to do while he was there for me.”

Hutchins and Franklin both have their work cut out for them to make the team, which means special teams plays a major role in their future employment. When I asked Mike Vrabel about both guys last week, he immediately pointed to them needing to contribute in that part of the game.

“My career started off playing special teams at BC from 2022-2023. Coming into the league, to contribute on special teams, earn a role on special teams, it could get me on the 53-man roster,” Hutchins said. “I feel like it’s going to help me in the long run to get play time and continue to stand out.

“I think like, special teams is the No. 1 thing you need to make an impact on to try and make the 53-man before anything else.”

For Franklin – who did get some time in Foxborough during rookie minicamp – one phone call for a tryout has suddenly turned into a week with the Patriots.

“In the offseason, I decided I had to go back into overdrive no matter what the outcome was going to be after going undrafted,” he acknowledged. “I was pretty much working six days a week. I probably gained 22 pounds. I was waiting for an opportunity.

“I had just finished a lift and I got a call from my agent saying ‘they’re thinking about bringing you in for a tryout, make sure you’re ready for that.’ I was like, ‘alright perfect.’ I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. I’ve been waiting all summer. I came out, had the tryout and have been here since.”

Franklin and Hutchins took different paths to get to 1 Patriot Place, but they’re both learning some valuable lessons together about being a pro during this time in training camp.

“Consistency,” Hutchins answered when asked what the biggest lesson he’s learned is so far. “Being consistent every day when it comes to taking care of your body, being in the playbook…special teams, defense. All of it. Just consistency.”

“I can always come to someone and they’ll always take me serious. There’s never anyone that’s like ‘oh, you’re not worth my time’ or anything like that,” added Franklin. “Everyone just wants to see you get better.”

Hutchins and Franklin’s former teammates get their season started with Day 1 of camp on Wednesday morning out on the fields near The Res.

They’ll most definitely be checking in while continuing to pursue the ultimate dream for every football player.

“I actually saw (BC offensive analyst) Andrew Sartori, he came up for one day up here,” Franklin said while holding a giant sign a fan made him. “I was speaking with Coach O’Brien looking for advice during when I wasn’t hearing anything. I’ll call the boys every now and then. it’s been good.”

“Oh yeah. I always talk to the boys,” Hutchins added with a big smile. “I’ll wait for them to respond sometimes even though I take forever to respond. There’s this cool understanding that we’re all getting work in. They’re trying to get to the next level, I’m trying to get to the 53.

“I’ll keep in touch, make sure they’re up on their game and meeting expectations.”

(Image courtesy of Sophie Weller – Patriots Wire)