5 Patriots players who are already turning heads at OTAs

Brenden Schooler

Historically, the Patriots' special teams has been as solid as they come, even making other teams around the league prioritize their third unit more than they ever had. So that's why seeing the group under perform and become a liability in recent years much more perplexing, especially under Bill Belichick.

With Mayo in charge now and a young special teams coordinator taking over the role for this upcoming season in Jeremy Springer, there's a lot on the line for the entire special teams roster to improve. Fortunately, they'll have a guy Matthew Slater took under his wing over the last two years to help lead the efforts.

Like Keion White, Mayo spoke highly of what he's seen from Brenden Schooler so far this offseason. He's already been a fantastic performer since signing with the team, but it's even more crucial he steps it up this year with Slater no longer in the lineup.

Schooler has already shown he can be the next guy up with some incredible performances that have put the team in an excellent position to take over a game. Now, it'll be all on his shoulders with his mentor coaching on the sidelines, and according to Mayo, he's moving into the new role with ease.

“We know he plays hard each and every down and he’s out there each and every time … I think that’s the most important thing. … He’s a great athlete in the weight room, always pushing guys and then really just helping with the younger guys..”

The success with Schooler is exactly what the new-era Patriots team needs and what Eliot Wolf is known to love. Drafting and developing talent to assemble a young roster that can be built around and remain together for many years. Schooler is a foundational piece on the special teams that will inevitably become the next face of the unit.

More Patriots coverage: