Most draft headlines scream quarterback, edge rusher, or wide receiver.
But in Foxborough, the next quiet battle might be decided by a right leg — and an old recruiting connection.
Patriots Eye Syracuse Punter Jack Stonehouse — And There’s a Familiar Face in the Mix
In the middle of Combine chaos, amid 40-yard dash times and franchise-altering quarterback interviews, one name quietly resurfaced with a surprising New England connection: Jack Stonehouse.
The Syracuse punter isn’t just another specialist hoping for a late-round call. He already knows someone inside the Patriots building — special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer.
And that history might matter.
A Recruiting Trail That Never Closed
Coming out of Chaminade College Preparatory in California, Stonehouse was recruited by Arizona. At the time, Springer was the Wildcats’ special teams coordinator.
The pairing never materialized. Pandemic roster logjams kept Arizona’s veteran players in place, and Stonehouse redshirted at Missouri before eventually transferring to Syracuse.
But the impression stuck.
“I really like Jeremy Springer,” Stonehouse said at the NFL Combine. “He actually recruited me in high school. Good guy. He’s very energetic. He loves what he does.”
In a league built on relationships, that familiarity can reopen doors years later.
A Breakout Final Season
Stonehouse saved his best football for last.
In 2025 at Syracuse, he punted 59 times for a 47.1-yard average — the highest of his career — totaling 2,780 yards and consistently flipping field position for the Orange defense.
For him, punting isn’t just mechanics. It’s mindset.
“I think of it as kind of like a competition with yourself,” he explained. “Being able to put your defense in the best position is the main reason why you’re out there.”
It’s a mentality Patriots fans understand well. For two decades, New England’s dynasty leaned heavily on field position, discipline, and hidden-yardage battles.
Why This Actually Matters
The Patriots already have a punter: Bryce Baringer.
But 2026 is a contract year for Baringer, and he’s coming off a season that included some uneven moments — particularly in the AFC Championship Game, where consistency wavered.
That opens the door.
New England has done this before. In 2019, they drafted Jake Bailey to replace veteran Ryan Allen after Super Bowl LIII. The franchise has never been afraid to create competition at specialist positions.
Stonehouse could represent that exact scenario again — whether via a late-round draft pick or undrafted free agency.
The Vrabel Angle
There’s another subtle twist.
Stonehouse’s cousin, Ryan Stonehouse, signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2022 when Mike Vrabel was head coach. Ryan went on to earn second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie and quickly became one of the NFL’s premier field-flippers.
Vrabel now leads the Patriots.
That family connection doesn’t guarantee anything. But in a league where coaches rely on trusted evaluations, it adds another layer of intrigue.
If Vrabel and Springer compare notes, Jack Stonehouse’s résumé suddenly looks a little more compelling.
Not Just a Name — A Statement
Stonehouse isn’t demanding a draft slot. He’s asking for a chance.
“I just want an opportunity,” he said. “I don’t really mind where it is. I can punt outside, I can punt inside. Wherever you put me, I’ll be able to punt the ball.”
Confidence without arrogance. Familiarity without entitlement.
In a draft cycle dominated by marquee names, the Patriots may once again be hunting value in the margins — where special teams battles are won quietly but decisively.
And if history is any guide, don’t be surprised if that quiet leg ends up making serious noise in Foxborough.
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