In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins opted for Alabama Crimson Tide reunions as they drafted DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle respectively to reunite them with their former college quarterback. Now, the New England Patriots could take this route next month.

Now-former Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III confirmed during his 2022 NFL Scouting Combine press conference that he has indeed met with the Patriots. They are currently on the lookout for offensive weapons to add for quarterback Mac Jones, who is coming off of a rookie campaign where he earned a 2022 Pro Bowl selection and also recorded 22 passing touchdowns.

Metchie shined with Jones during the latter’s final season at Alabama, and to this day, he is still close with the Patriots passer.

“Mac and I are really close,” Metchie said. “He was my quarterback that year, so Mac and I got along really well. We also spent a lot of time together my freshman year on the two team, so we have a lot of chemistry.”

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As mentioned, the Eagles and Dolphins elected to make life a bit easier for their starting quarterbacks as they drafted a former college teammate of theirs last year. For Metchie, he would much cherish the opportunity to reunite with Jones in New England.

“That would be cool,” Metchie said.

“It's definitely something I've heard, and especially seeing the trend of teams liking to unite quarterbacks and receivers or just former teammates together. I think Mac 10 and I would be special, for sure.”

The Patriots and other interested teams in Metchie will not see him compete in this year’s combine, as he is still in the recovery process from his season-ending ACL injury suffered in the 2021 SEC Championship Game. The former College Football Playoff national champion did add that he is on track to be cleared by June.

At the least, there is already some optimism on the possibility that Metchie will be catching passes from his former Crimson Tide teammate next season. The Patriots sure are in need of a standout receiver who can open up the offense for Jones, and Metchie proved during his run at Alabama that he can be just that kind of a talent.