After their bye week, the New England Patriots brought in a fresh face for a closer look at Gillette Stadium, working out rookie linebacker Eugene Asante on Tuesday, per the NFL transaction wire.
Asante, 24, is still navigating the early stages of his NFL journey. He entered the league this past spring as an undrafted free agent and initially signed with the Miami Dolphins.
His time in South Florida was cut short after an ankle injury in the preseason finale led to an injury settlement. But before the setback, Asante showed flashes of potential in limited action-logging 91 total snaps across defense and special teams.
In that time, he tallied 10 tackles, including one for loss, and added a pass breakup. Not bad for a first taste of NFL speed.
He later landed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad in October, though that stint came to an end just last week. Now healthy and back in the mix, Asante is looking for his next opportunity-and the Patriots are doing their due diligence.
Asante’s college career was a winding but productive one. He began at North Carolina before transferring to Auburn, racking up 65 appearances and starting 23 games across both programs.
His stat sheet speaks to a linebacker with range and a nose for the ball: 196 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and even a 67-yard touchdown return. He didn’t just fill up the box score-he made splash plays.
Physically, Asante brings intriguing tools to the table. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he clocked a 4.48-second 40-yard dash with a lightning-quick 1.52-second 10-yard split-numbers that jump off the page for an off-ball linebacker. He also put up 21 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, showing he’s got some pop in the weight room to match his speed.
As of now, the Patriots’ 53-man roster and 17-man practice squad are both at capacity, and with the team sitting at 11-2 and inching closer to clinching the AFC East, any additions would require a corresponding move. But bringing in Asante for a workout signals that New England is still evaluating depth and upside at linebacker as the playoff push intensifies.
Whether or not Asante earns a spot, this is the time of year when teams look to reinforce the back end of the roster with players who can contribute in a pinch-especially on special teams. And with his blend of athleticism and collegiate production, Asante’s name is one to keep an eye on as rosters inevitably shift down the stretch.