Bill O’Brien Endorses Patriots Selecting NFL Draft Prospect At Key Position

Mike Vrabel is trying to establish a new culture ever since he took over as the New England Patriots head coach.

It was evident with the free-agent signings the Patriots made what type of player Vrabel wanted to bring in: tough, hard-nosed who put football and the team above everything else. Perhaps that approach will carry over to next month’s NFL draft.

If so, then Ozzy Trapilo might make the quick trip from Boston College to Foxboro soon. Trapilo, a 6-foot-8, 316-pound offensive tackle, is on the Patriots’ radar after Vrabel and members of the team’s front office were in attendance for BC’s pro day Monday.

Trapilo certainly would fill a need for Vrabel’s squad and Trapilo got a strong endorsement from BC head coach Bill O’Brien, who thinks the offensive lineman would be a terrific addition for the Patriots.

“Ozzy’s the type of guy who is just the same guy every day,” O’Brien told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry. “Never misses practices. Very tough, very talented, very smart — he’s got a master’s degree from Boston College. He’ll be excellent in the locker room. He’ll do whatever the coach asks him to do: he’ll play right tackle, he’ll play left tackle, he’ll play guard if you want him to. He’ll do whatever you ask him to do. He always puts the team first.

“And I think that’s some of the things that I think Mike’s probably looking for. I’m not telling Mike who to draft, but I don’t think he can go wrong with Ozzy Trapilo. Ozzy Trapilo will be a great pro.”

The Patriots are in need of help at both tackle spots. They still have yet to lock up a left tackle, which they potentially could do by drafting LSU’s Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick. Morgan Moses is situated to be New England’s starting right tackle, but the 34-year-old has 11 seasons of miles on him. A backup plan there surely wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Trapilo, who is a Norwell, Mass. native, got more experience at right tackle in his collegiate career by making 24 starts at that spot over the last two seasons. He was named an All-ACC First Team selection this past season.

Trapilo is expected to be a Day 2 pick, and the Patriots have two third-round picks at their disposal plus an early selection in the fourth round should Trapilo fall.

It would seem that the hometown kid landing with the Patriots would be an ideal scenario for Trapilo. But Trapilo doesn’t exactly see it that way.

“I’m not allowed to have any bias, right? I’m putting myself out there,” Trapilo told reporters, per The Boston Globe’s Trevor Hass. “Whoever wants me, I’m going to be the happiest guy in the world to play the sport I love.”