Michigan State Football: Brian Lewerke’s stint with Patriots short-lived

Brian Lewerke was signed by the New England Patriots after the NFL draft but the former Michigan State football star’s stint was cut short.

For four years, Brian Lewerke was one of the most polarizing Michigan State players in the Mark Dantonio era. He was either really, really good or painfully bad. There was hardly ever an in-between.

That’s why NFL teams didn’t take a chance on him in the 2020 NFL Draft. He went seven rounds without hearing his name called and was quickly picked up by the Patriots.

It seemed like the perfect situation for Lewerke as Tom Brady had just left for Tampa Bay and the Buccaneers didn’t have a clear No. 1 quarterback other than maybe Jarrett Stidham. A quarterback battle between Stidham, Lewerke and fellow rookie J’Mar Smith seemed winnable or at least easy enough to win the backup job, but then Cam Newton was signed.

That led to Sunday’s news where the Patriots trimmed their roster down to 80, cutting 10 guys which included Lewerke and Smith.

While this doesn’t technically signal the end of Lewerke in New England, it just goes to show he has plenty of work to do and a lot to prove if he’s going to catch on with an NFL roster.

Lewerke was one of the more naturally-talented kids on the Michigan State roster for a few years, but an injury during his junior season and loss of confidence seemed to derail his collegiate career. He still started and played decent football as a senior, but he could never replicate his sophomore form which was when many thought he would be NFL-bound the next year.

The practice squad is still likely going to be an option and there’s a good chance he’ll have to work his way up that way but this is a tough start to his pro career.

As long as he gets the right coaching, Brian could be a hidden gem at the next level.