21 issues to learn about Patriots rookie Christian Gonzalez

Patriots

Listed here are 21 information about Gonzalez because the rookie cornerback turns 21.

Patriots rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez turned 21 on Wednesday, so listed below are 21 issues to learn about New England’s most up-to-date first-round decide.

1. He’s the primary defensive again to be chosen within the first spherical by the Patriots since Devin McCourty.

2. He’s the fourth Oregon participant ever drafted by the Patriots and the primary since Patrick Chung in 2009, per the varsity’s athletics web site.

3. He’s doubtless going to be a fringe cornerback within the NFL, Patriots coach Invoice Belichick stated earlier this month, however there are some conditions the place he might play inside or within the deeper a part of the sphere, relying on the sport plan.

4. Gonzalez is 6-foot-2-inches, 201-pounds, with a 4.38 40-yard sprint time and a 41.5 inch vertical leap. “In the event you had been constructing a participant in Madden, you’d create them similar to Christian, particularly for the nook place,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning stated throughout an interview with NBC Sports activities Boston.

5. Gonzalez’s sisters, Melissa and Samantha Gonzalez, had been All-Individuals throughout their faculty observe and subject careers. Melissa competed within the 2020 Olympics, representing Colombia.

6. His father, Hector Gonzalez, who’s 6-feet-9-inches and performed faculty basketball at UTEP, was born in Colombia earlier than shifting to the USA as an adolescent.

7. Representing Colombia on the NFL degree “means the world” to Gonzalez, he instructed reporters on draft evening when he wore a swimsuit with the Colombian flag’s colours on the within.

8. Gonzalez was a projected top-10 decide, however slid to the Patriots at No. 17. There was lower than a 1 p.c likelihood he was going to be out there that late within the draft, according to ESPN. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that questions on his physicality could have been an element.

9. Gonzalez is the youngest participant on the Patriots’ roster. Rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte can also be 21, however his birthday was final month.

10. Gonzalez nearly give up soccer after his sophomore yr in highschool as a result of his coaches thought he wasn’t sturdy sufficient and put him on the JV workforce. He ended up transferring to a different college as a substitute.

11. He initially dedicated to play faculty soccer at Purdue, the place his brother-in-law (Cardinals quarterback) David Blough performed.

12. After decommitting from Purdue, Gonzalez signed with Colorado and performed two seasons there.

13. Gonzalez adopted his place coach, Demetrice Martin, to Oregon, the place he completed his faculty profession. “I don’t even take a look at him as a coach.” Gonzalez stated on the time, in accordance with Sports activities Illustrated. “He’s extra like my uncle.” 

14. Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm was on the workers at Oregon whereas Gonzalez was there. Klemm described Gonzalez in April as a pure chief who didn’t say a lot, however stood out due to the way in which he practiced.

15. Gonzalez began the primary 12 video games for Oregon final yr, however opted out of the workforce’s win over North Carolina within the San Diego County Credit score Union Vacation Bowl.

16. Gonzalez wore No. 50 throughout OTAs and minicamp. The Patriots have given No. 50 to their first choice within the NFL Draft in recent times.

17. After one of many OTA classes, Kyle Dugger instructed reporters that Gonzalez is gentle on his toes and strikes fluidly. “It’s fairly easy simply the way in which he does the whole lot,” stated Dugger.

18. Gonzalez instructed reporters that he needs to “observe within the footsteps” of former Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

19. Gonzalez is the second-tallest cornerback on the Patriots’ roster, behind fellow rookie Ameer Velocity, who’s listed at 6-feet-3-inches.

20. Gonzalez stated he loves seafood. When requested a few pair of New England favorites, lobster rolls and clam chowder, Gonzalez stated he’ll “keep on with the lobster.”

21. When requested to sum himself up, Gonzalez stated: “I’m simply any person that’s extraordinarily reliable. Someone that’s simply loyal and retains a reasonably tight circle. Actually all about ball. Prepared to simply study. I simply like to study.”