The New England Patriots announced the signing of seven undrafted free agents on Friday:
Center David Andrews (Georgia): Andrews, 22, was a three-year starter at center for Georgia, playing in 50 games with 40 starts. The 6-foot-3, 294-pound Andrews was a team captain for three years and was named second-team All-ACC as a senior in 2014. In addition, he was named the team’s MVP following the 2014 season.
WR Devin Gardner (Michigan): Gardner, 23, was a four-year letterman at Michigan, appearing in 49 games with 31 starts overall as a quarterback and wide receiver. The 6-3, 216-pound Gardner made 27 starts at quarterback and four starts at wide receiver. He finished his career sixth in school history with 44 passing touchdowns, fourth with 6,336 passing yards and fourth with 475 completions. Gardner set a school record against Indiana on Oct. 19, 2013 with 503 passing yards.
WR Chris Harper (California): Harper, 21, played in 35 games with 23 starts at Cal and finished his career ranked seventh in school history with 163 receptions for 2,030 yards and 13 touchdowns that ranked 10th in school history. The 5-11, 175-pound Harper caught at least one pass in 34 of the 35 games he played in, with the lone exception coming in a game against UCLA when he played as a true freshman in 2012.
DB Jimmy Jean (UAB): Jean, 26, played both safety and cornerback over two seasons at Alabama-Birmingham. The 6-3, 180-pound Jean played in 24 games after beginning his college career with two seasons at Arkansas Baptist Junior College.
DB Brandon King (Auburn): King, 21, played two seasons at Auburn after transferring from Highland Community College. The 6-2, 213-pound King began his tenure at Auburn as a safety in 2013 and then started the 2014 campaign at safety before being moved to defensive end to bolster the pass rush in passing situations.
DB Eric Patterson (Ball State): Patterson, 22, started in 28 of 41 games during his four-year career at Ball State and finished with 135 total tackles and six interceptions. The 5-10, 193-pound Patterson was used as a kickoff returner as a senior in 2014 and was named to the 2014 All-Mid-American Conference first team after returning 23 kickoffs for 590 yards.
DL Vince Taylor (Vanderbilt): Taylor, 22, played in 49 games with 12 starts at Vanderbilt and finished with 87 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries. The 6-2, 310-pound Taylor started all 11 games as a senior. He played at nose tackle and finished with 43 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The team also announced the signing of eight of their 11 draft picks. The lone draft picks remaining unsigned are defensive tackle Malcom Brown (first round), defensive end Geneo Grissom (third round) and long snapper Joe Cardona (fifth round).
