If the Patriots are going to get their passing game on track, quarterback Jacoby Brissett needs to find ways to get the ball in rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk’s hands.
Polk, a 2024 second-round pick out of Washington, was a training camp standout for the Patriots, but that hasn’t translated to in-game success quite yet.
The 22-year-old father-to-be has five catches on six targets for 31 yards with a touchdown in three games. He’s currently fourth on the Patriots in receiving yards and tied for third with running back Rhamondre Stevenson in receptions.
The Patriots face off against the 49ers in a return to the West Coast in San Francisco for Week 4.
Get to know the Patriots’ youngest pass catcher better off of the field.
BH: What would you be doing if you weren’t a football player?
JP: I’d probably be running my own trucking business. I’d probably be in real estate. I’d probably be like somewhere in the country on my acres doing some country stuff in Texas.
BH: Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
JP: Favorite athlete: Ray Lewis.
BH: Favorite movie?
JP: “Remember The Titans.”
BH: Favorite musical artist?
JP: Probably Rod Wave or YUNG BOI.
BH: Who have you been closest with on the team so far?
JP: I’d probably say Javon Baker.
BH: Who’s the funniest guy on the team?
JP: Funniest player on the team? Pop (wide receiver DeMario Douglas).
BH: What’s your favorite thing about the New England region?
JP: I think my favorite thing is the scenery. I don’t people really understand like how pretty it is out here.
BH: Who’s a player around the league who’s underrated or underappreciated?
JP: I’d probably say Gonzo (Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez).
BH: Do you have a hidden talent?
JP: I can cook.
BH: What’s your favorite meal to cook?
JP: Probably like chicken spaghetti or a pasta or tater tot casserole.
BH: What was your first football memory?
JP: Before I actually started playing football, my uncle would — he was in high school at La Porte (Texas) High School in the Houston area. And I was like real young, and he would take me to the workouts with him. So, he took me to one of his summer workouts in high school, and I ended up throwing up. I lifted with him, I ran with him, and I threw up. And I got back home, and my mama, she was panicking and stuff like that. And I was in the living room in front of a fan tired, because I didn’t hydrate, and I was throwing up.
BH: Top high school football memory:
JP: Going to the fourth round of the playoffs (with Lufkin High School) at SFA (Stephen F. Austin) against Longview, Texas (in 2017).
Polk’s team lost to Longview 33-32 in the game after beating Rockwall-Heath, Pearce and Westfield in the first three rounds. Polk finished his high school career with 131 receptions for 2,412 yards and 24 touchdowns.
BH: Top college football memory?
JP: I think going to the national championship (against Michigan) or winning the Pac-12 championship (against Oregon in 2023).
Polk’s Huskies lost 34-13 to the Wolverines in the national championship game after beating Texas in the Sugar Bowl-CFP Semifinal. He had five catches for 122 yards and a touchdown in the win over Texas and finished the season with 69 catches for 1,159 yards with nine touchdowns.
BH: What made the University of Washington so special?
JP: I think what made UDub special was the relationships that I made when I was there.
