FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ wide receivers made a big impression in college football the past four seasons, playing a big role in the Razorbacks’ high-powered offense under Bobby Petrino.
But when it came to the 2012 NFL Draft, Arkansas’ best defensive player was the first Razorback pulled off the board.
Defensive end Jake Bequette was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round — the 90th pick overall — late Friday. The Little Rock native will join a Patriots roster which already boasts a former Arkansas player in quarterback Ryan Mallett, who was a third-round pick last April.
“They showed some early interest in me at the Senior Bowl and at the Combine,” Bequette said during a conference call with the New England media on Friday night. “And then I had a workout in Fayetteville with them and I got a great feeling from them and I guess I really impressed them.”
Bequette was the only Razorback selected during the draft’s second and third rounds. The rest of the draft-hopeful Hogs — which includes receivers Joe Adams, Greg Childs and Jarius Wright — will have to wait until the final four rounds Saturday.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Bequette knows where he’s headed, though, after collecting 23 1/2 sacks at Arkansas. He’ll be part of New England coach Bill Belichick’s defense with the Patriots.
“Jake was a very productive guy in the SEC as a defensive end in their system,” Belichick said during a Friday night press conference. “He did some linebacker stuff at the combine and in the all-star games. But he has primarily been a productive pass rusher for Arkansas over his four years in a good conference.”
Bequette spent his entire career at defensive end, but could play linebacker when New England lines up in a 3-4 defense. It’s a move he had been preparing for throughout the NFL Draft process, beginning with an unexpected shift to linebacker for the Senior Bowl in late January.
Bequette said he continued to field questions about playing the position the next couple of months at the NFL Combine and during Arkansas’ pro day. Bequette, in fact, worked out with linebackers during the event on Arkansas’ campus in March.
“I feel very comfortable at both,” Bequette said during the conference call. “I guess that’s kind of a soft answer, but it’s true. I played the 4-3 end mostly in college, but I also stood up a little bit doing the outside linebacker position in the Senior Bowl and Combine. The more I did it, the more it grew on me, so I feel very comfortable in both. “I can’t wait to see what the coaches have in store for me.”
He’ll probably do a little of both with the Patriots. Either way, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said Bequette will get a chance to make an impact with the organization.
“High-motor guy, tough guy,” Mayock said during the NFL Network broadcast. “He will fit in really well in the locker room. He does have some edge speed and knowledge of how to rush the passer. … When he sees it, trust me, he brings it full speed.
“Jake Bequette will be another toy for Coach Belichick.”
Bequette is one of four defensive players the Patriots have selected through three rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. The organization picked Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones and Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower in the first round. New England grabbed Illinois safety Tavon Wilson in the second round before getting Bequette late in the third.
“Over the last couple of years you can see him rushing against NFL players either that are coming out in this year’s draft or were in last year’s draft,” Belichick said of Bequette.
Bequette said he’s eager to be heading to the Patriots. He is tentatively scheduled to be in New England today.
“I was really anticipating being selected around this time and man, I can’t tell you how excited I was when I got the phone call,” said Bequette, who was in Little Rock for the draft.
Arkansas defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell, who worked with the defensive end the past two seasons, said Bequette has the tools to succeed in the NFL.
“Jake was a tremendous leader during his time here at Arkansas,” Caldwell said in a statement Friday night. “He was a two-time team captain and was one of the players that laid the foundation and set the expectations for future Razorbacks.
“Jake has a motor that doesn’t quit and was one of the best in the nation at being a disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball. He is a complete person that brings a good work ethic, on-field production and intelligence to the NFL, and I know he can be a factor at the next level.”