New England Patriots Sign Rookie Defensive Tackle Seali’i Epenesa

FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots fans hoping that their team would sign a veteran free-agent tight end were disappointed on Tuesday. The Patriots filled their open spot on the 90-man roster by signing rookie free-agent defensive tackle Seali’i Epenesa.

Epenesa went undrafted out of UCLA. The 6-foot-1, 310-pounder ran a 5.25-second 40-yard dash at UCLA’s pro day in March. He clocked a 7.68-second three-cone and 4.68-second short shuttle with a 29.5-inch vertical leap and 8-foot-3 broad jump.

Epenesa recorded 16 tackles and one sack last season in 12 games with seven starts. He started 10 games in 2012 as a junior.

Epenesa will compete for a roster spot with fellow undrafted rookie defensive tackle L.T. Tuipulotu.