Florida State Football GM Praises Patriots’ Joshua Farmer's Toughness, Effort and Loyalty

Florida State Football GM Praises Patriots’ Joshua Farmer's Toughness, Effort and Loyalty originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The New England Patriots ranked dead last in the NFL last season in sacks, finishing the year with just 28. This offseason, the Patriots made a lot of moves to address the need.

New England picked up defensive tackle Milton Williams and outside linebacker Harold Landry III in free agency and drafted outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer.

While the Patriots hope Williams and Landry will work together to lead a resurgent pass rush, the rookies have a chance to contribute as well. The Patriots drafted Farmer in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Florida State, and after three strong seasons with the Seminoles, FSU's general manager of football, Darrick Yray, had some high praise for the Patriots' rookie.

Hot Take: #Patriots DT Joshua Farmer isn’t being talked about enough.

The fourth-round pick could definitely make some sort of impact in his rookie year.

(🎥 successathletic IG) pic.twitter.com/ZRlq4zrHxF

— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) July 16, 2025

"You're getting a tough individual, a tireless, hard worker. He's relentless in his attitude and approach. He has the ability to respond to adversity, and has done that all throughout his life," Yray said (h/t ESPN.com). "I know it means something to him that he is able to play for [New England defensive line coach] Clint [McMillan], who was the coach who offered him at Florida State."

After redshirting his first year at Florida State, Farmer finished his final three years with 79 tackles, 21 TFLs, and 11 sacks. He also defended a couple of passes and forced a fumble in his junior year.

Now the former Seminole takes his talents to the Patriots, where he has some familiarity with his defensive line coach. Farmer lost his parents at a young age, and that allowed him to develop close relationships with the rest of his family. Yray praised the rookie's loyalty to those who have been there for him throughout his life.

"His brothers and the rest of his family, his grandma specifically, have played a pivotal role in his life. There are also influential coaches that he's had strong relationships with," Yray said. "His high school coach, Corey Fuller, who was a nine-plus-year NFL veteran who ended up being on our staff a little later in his career, and Odell Haggins, who is a longtime tenured staff member here at Florida.

"Josh is a loyal individual; once he trusts you, you're in the family. You're talking about a young man who took time out of his day to write a bunch of thank-you cards [to staff] after the combine, and I still have the one he wrote me on my desk."

Farmer displayed his skills on the field while at Florida State, but the character off the field is what the stats can't show. The defensive tackle's care and respect for those who've been there along his journey is exactly what you want in a young player.

Lastly, Yray detailed what the Patriots are getting in Farmer when he steps onto the field, and the first thing he mentioned was his effort.

"First of all, the effort stands out. You watch him on tape, the ability to two-gap, chase the ball down. He's going to be physical," Yray said. "He plays with great leverage, and has the ability to have a quick first step and be able to penetrate. But he also has the ability to hold up against the run."

Farmer will be one of many rookies competing for playing time throughout the regular season for the Patriots, and that competition starts this week at training camp.

The Patriots' rookies reported to training camp on Saturday, and the first practice will take place on Wednesday, July 23.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.