Patriots order Mayo at No. 10

Highest-drafted linebacker in UT history

By Drew Edwards

Originally published 04:15 p.m., April 26, 2008
Updated 10:35 p.m., April 26, 2008

Consider it safe to say Jerod Mayo was the only first-round draft pick bagging leaves on Saturday.

Shortly before the NFL draft began Saturday afternoon, Mayo was doing a little yard work at his family home in Hampton, Va., before the nerves kicked in.

“I couldn’t do it any more after one bag,” Mayo said.

After that, Mayo sat on the porch and waited for his phone to ring. And he didn’t have to sit long before New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick called to inform him he’d been selected with the 10th overall pick.

“I’m excited, and I can’t even explain it right now,” said Mayo, who earned All-SEC honors last season after leading the Vols with 140 tackles.

Most analysts projected Mayo to be a late first-round pick, but his versatility — and youth — made him the right pick to add to a talented but aging group of linebackers for the defending AFC champion Patriots.

“He was a guy that everybody who scouted the SEC knew about,” Belichick said. “He’s a very productive player down there for Tennessee and has been for a couple years. He’s a versatile guy. He’s smart. He understands schemes and concepts. Really, I think he has a lot to offer.”

That includes a little history.

Mayo is the only linebacker selected in the first round by New England since Belichick became coach in 2000, and he’s now the highest drafted linebacker in Tennessee history.

UT defensive coordinator and linebackers coach John Chavis wasn’t surprised that Mayo was that high on the Patriots’ draft board.

“I said with about five or six games to go he was playing as well as anybody in the country,” Chavis said. “And I think other people realized that when they sat down and watched the film. The reason he was drafted there was obviously that he’s that kind of player, but character is factored in. I think that’s why he was able to achieve what he did.”

On Saturday, New England traded down from the 7th overall pick to the 10th and was still able to get Mayo.

“He’s been a very productive player in a top program and a top conference,” Belichick said. “I don’t think there’s much more he could have done.”

Indeed, Mayo appears to be ready for the NFL after playing just three seasons at Tennessee.

During his time at Tennessee, he played both inside and outside linebacker, and that versatility clearly helped him land in New England, which fell short of an undefeated season last year when it lost to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

Mayo said he is comfortable playing either inside or outside in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme and wants to help wherever he can, whether it’s as a starter or on special teams.

“My mindset was set on any team I went to, I wanted to make an impact, either as a starting linebacker or on special teams,” Mayo said. “The NFL’s a whole new game. Everybody’s good. It’s more of a mental thing.”

That’s another reason why the Patriots liked Mayo.

During his pre-draft visit to New England, Mayo spent time learning a little of the Patriots defense. Once they finished describing a play, Mayo recalled, they erased the board and made him draw the play back from memory.

Mayo obviously passed the test, and that doesn’t surprise Chavis, either.

“He could go out right now and coach and teach it,” Chavis said. “He understands what we were doing. He’ll be the same way (in New England). He’ll be playing in a different scheme, but he picks up schemes really well.”

The NFL draft concludes today with rounds 3-7.

Quarterback Erik Ainge, tight end Brad Cottam, safety Jonathan Hefney and offensive lineman Eric Young are among former Vols expected to be selected today.

Notebook: Mayo’s selection marks the third consecutive year the Vols have produced a first-round pick. Defensive tackle Justin Harrell and wide receiver Robert Meachem were picked last year, and defensive back Jason Allen went in the first round in 2006. … Four SEC players (Arkansas RB Darren McFadden, LSU DT Glen Dorsey, Florida DE Derrick Harvey and Mayo) were picked in the top 10 and two more SEC players (Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams and Arkansas RB Felix Jones) went in the first round.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.