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Patriots work out 4 free agents, including reigning UFL Special Teams Player of the Year

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Michigan Panthers v Memphis Showboats
Photo by Justin Ford/UFL/Getty Images

United Football League standout Kedrick Whitehead Jr. was among four visitors to Gillette Stadium on Friday.

In addition, the New England Patriots hosted fellow defensive back Keydrain Calligan and linebackers Jimmy Ciarlo and K.J. Cloyd for workouts, according to the NFL transaction wire.

Whitehead, 25, was named the 2025 UFL Special Teams Player of the Year following a spring that spanned 118 snaps in the kicking game for the Michigan Panthers. The 5-foot-10, 199-pounder also earned All-UFL honors

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at cornerback across 12 appearances, including playoffs, totaling 61 tackles and a handful of pass breakups. A former three-time captain and four-time All-CAA selection, the Delaware product originally signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after trying out at rookie minicamp in 2023. His workout in Foxborough was first reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.

Calligan, 23, signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on the heels of a workout in May. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner was waived at the start of training camp. A graduate student at Southeastern Louisiana last fall, Calligan made previous stops at Jackson State and Louisiana Monroe. He appeared in a combined 35 games dating back to 2021.

Ciarlo, 24, was waived by the New York Jets in May. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker originally landed in Florham Park as an undrafted free agent out of Army in 2024. He was let go last August with an injury designation and subsequently spent his rookie season on injured reserve. A Black Knights co-captain as a senior, Ciarlo totaled 121 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries though 39 games.

Cloyd, 24, entered the league undrafted in 2024 following collegiate stints at Jones, Louisville and Miami. The 6-foot-2, 228-pound linebacker began his rookie training camp with the Minnesota Vikings. He went on to spent time on the practice squads of the New York Giants and Denver Broncos. A futures contract followed in the AFC West before he was waived in May.

The Patriots currently carry a 91-man active roster when accounting for defensive tackle David Olajiga’s exemption through the International Player Pathway.

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