Patriots’ Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel Rave Over Debut of 'Baller' Rookie

Patriots’ Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel Rave Over Debut of 'Baller' Rookie originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Efton Chism III caught 120 passes for 1,311 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in his senior year. However, the receiver went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Chism signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent and has turned heads throughout the offseason, and did so again in the Patriots' preseason opener on Friday night.

Why did Chism go undrafted in this year's draft? Likely because he went to Eastern Washington University, not the most household name. However, receivers Kendrick Bourne and Cooper Kupp attended Eastern Washington as well and have now put together eight-year careers in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Rams drafted Kupp in the third round, and Kendrick Bourne went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft. Like Bourne, Chism went undrafted this year, but is trending toward earning a roster spot on the Patriots.

Chism had an incredible college career with the Eagles, collecting nearly 350 receptions and almost 4,000 yards across his five years. In his senior year, Chism ranked second in the country with his 1,311 receiving yards and led the nation with 120 receptions, which also broke the school record for receptions in a season previously held by Kupp.

Chism had impressed throughout OTAs and minicamp but had been quiet throughout the start of the Patriots' training camp. However, that changed in Friday night's preseason opener against the Washington Commanders. Chism led all Patriots' receivers with six catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.

"Yeah, he's a baller. I mean, he loves coming up, asking me questions about routes and things. He loves talking football. He's just a football player. And you saw tonight, you know, making plays," Patriots' quarterback Drake Maye said. "Glad he got in the end zone and then almost should've got in the end zone again on the screen, he got chased down. But, yeah, I think just blocking hard, doing all the right things.

"I think that kind of is what we're preaching the offensive room. You know, you do keep doing things the right way and keep showing up, you're gonna get rewarded."

Chism had eight targets on the night and could reel in six. But his concentration on the ball, and ability to break tackles after the catch is what stood out most to his head coach.

Efton Chism went for 6 catches 50 yards and touchdown in yesterdays preseason opener

Chism showed flashes in camp and OTA’s, but never officially put anything together in 11’s until Wednesday

Yesterday he showed out and made plays in the game:pic.twitter.com/dvR90kyUd4

— Patri0ts3 (@patri0ts3) August 9, 2025

"I think his play strength stood out to me just from the sideline. I think just the way that he blocks and, you know, his ability to catch the ball in traffic," Mike Vrabel said. "The ball was basically tipped or bobbled, I mean, coming out of Ben's hand, and he kind of ran through a tackle and ran through contact and then we threw him a screen. So those are all positive things, I think is play strength to me, is what stood out."

Chism impressed in his first preseason game, but there was a lot of preparation that went into his performance on Friday night. Since he signed with the Patriots, the UDFA has been watching clips of former Patriots' receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, trying to learn different techniques from the former Patriots.

Edelman and Amendola played in the slot and had very similar builds to Chism, and they've been doing everything they can to try to learn and grow to make the most of their opportunities in New England.

Efton Chism makes it impossible to not believe in Efton Chism.

Just doing what he did at EWU.

Some players are ▶️ MORE than the sum of their parts.

📼 WBZpic.twitter.com/sQmmzzZqEx

— ZeeBee (@BellinoZee) August 9, 2025

"Just being a rookie, trying to understand the NFL and, you know, the different defenses, the terminology, the business side, you know, trying to just deal with that. But, man, it's been such the biggest blessing and the biggest honor to be here and to play in the National Football League," Chism said. "I'm not taking it for granted, you know, I hope the guys in the locker room aren't either. But man, we're the 1% of the 1% you know, just taking that each day opportunity presents itself trying to take advantage of it."

Chism took advantage of Friday night's opportunity, and could earn himself a firm roster spot with similar performances throughout the rest of the preseason. The Eastern Washington product knows he has to show his best every time he's on the field.

"Playing hard. That's kind of what I pride myself on, and the little details," Chism said. "Going out there and doing everything I can to my full abilities. When I got the ball, I got to kind of show that."

Related: Patriots’ DeMario Douglas Poised for 2025 Role Like Ravens’ Zay Flowers

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.