On Monday, representatives from all 32 NFL teams were on-hand in Chestnut Hill as Boston College hosted its 2025 Pro Day at their Fish Field House practice facility.
19 players from four different schools were in attendance, with varying levels of participation taking place as prospects continue to make their case as desirable options for next month’s NFL Draft.
If Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeirauku was the headliner as a non-partipant - projected as a first round pick for April 24 - then his teammate Ozzy Trapilo was the lead undercard on the day.
Generally considered a "day two" prospect by most draft prognosticators, Trapilo took part in all of the offensive line drills in front of a group that included scouts, coaches and general managers from across the NFL.
But the most notable attendee of Trapilo’s workout on Monday was Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel - one of only two current NFL head coaches that I saw in attendance along with Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. Vrabel was also joined by executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden, offensive line coach Doug Marrone, and a number of other team staffers.
With the media positioned about 50 yards away from the bulk of the NFL talent evaluators throughout the day, it appeared to me that Vrabel was most attentive during Trapilo’s drills. More so than any other player for any other position group, Vrabel seemed the most locked in for the former BC captain’s reps with group four.
And if the attention Vrabel was seemingly showing Trapilo on Monday wasn’t enough of an indicator that the team might be interested in drafting the 6-foot-8 son of the late former Patriots left tackle Steve Trapilo, one of Vrabel’s closest friends told the media why he thinks the All-ACC O-lineman would be a great fit within Vrabel’s revamped culture at 1 Patriot Place.
“I mean to me, it’s a great question,” said Boston College head football coach Bill O’Brien. “It’s an easy question for me, because Ozzy is the type of guy who is just the same guy every day. Never misses practice. Very tough, very talented, very smart - he’s got a master’s degree from Boston College.
“He’d 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 ask him - 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 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.”
Going into the NFL Scouting Combine, Trapilo was seen as a big-bodied tackle with a third-round grade. But after running a 5.22 40-yard dash with a 10-yard split of 1.77 in his second 40-attempt on day four in Indianapolis, the former BC Eagle solidified himself as a true second round possibility moving forward. You combine that speed for that body type with four years of impressive game tape, and you have yourself the type of player a team can talk themselves into being a real answer at one of the most important positions in all of football.
Could that team be New England?
With recent reports that top prospects Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter could fall into their lap at the No. 4 overall spot in the first round, a player like Trapoli could help fill a massive need for the Patriots at left tackle with their second round pick (No. 38 overall).
Being selected by the Patriots would undoubtedly be a dream come true for the Norwell-native who played his high school football at BC High. Being able to suit-up for the same franchise as his father would put the father-son duo in rarefied air in NFL history.
But when asked about the prospect of being drafted by his hometown team after his workout on Monday, Trapilo downplayed the notion.
“Yeah, I mean - look, I’m not allowed to have any bias, so I’m putting myself out there,” said Trapilo. “Whoever wants me, I’m gonna be the happiest guy in the world to go play the sport that I love.”
With more than one reporter noticing Vrabel’s specific attention to Trapilo’s on-field work on Monday, he was asked about his interactions with the Patriots head coach throughout the day, and if he noticed any similarities between Vrabel and his former head coach at BC.
“Yeah, I mean I talked to him, you know, today,” said Trapilo. “You know, I did only do O-line drills. So while I was sitting around waiting, you know, shook his hand, had a good conversation. You know, same with a lot of other guys as well.
“I could definitely see some similarities. Again, you know, Coach O’Brien has done a great job kind of assimilating that into this culture.”
On top of fitting the bill size and speed-wise, and in addition to his local ties and pedigree, Trapilo talked with the media about working with retired Patriots Hall of Fame offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia as he continues preparing for the draft.
Is that not just the cherry on top?
The draft is obviously an inexact science, and a lot of things need to fall into place at every level for any draft pick to be made. So let’s not put Trapilo’s name in pen for Foxborough just yet.
But if you’re into reading tea leaves, it would appear that Trapilo would be a perfect fit - if still available - for the Patriots in the second round.
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest on the Patriots’ offseason.