When Sal Lupoli Jr. was added to the Massachusetts Pirates roster, with players and coaches from Power Five college conferences, most figured they were getting the typical hometown favorite.
As in a backup who might sell some tickets.
While he did sell some tickets, about 75 family and friends for the opener, he was much more than expected.
“We were all wrong,” said Pirates assistant head coach Toby Johnson, a graduate of the University of Georgia. “From the first day he arrived he never stopped getting better, probably the best player on our team.”
Lupoli’s two months with the local Arena League was rewarded.
He received a phone from the Patriots V.P. of Player Personnel late last week; that he was getting an invite to the Patriots Rookie Minicamp, which runs this Friday through Sunday.
The former Bentley University first team All-American’s play with the Pirates – leading team averaging eight tackles per game – got noticed. So did his performance at the B.C. Pro Day two weeks ago when he was among the leaders in several different “events,” including the 3-cone shuttle run.
A bevy of Patriots coaches, including head coach Mike Vrabel, and scouts were there.
“Sal is full of energy, every day, not just on game days,” said Coach Johnson, of the Chelmsford native and Phillips Andover grad. “His constant desire to learn is special. He’s one of the few players that ‘s been over to my house, on several occasions, to look at film and talk football.
“I’ve been on the phone with him for an hour, maybe two hours, at 10 (p.m.) at night,” said Coach Johnson. “No exaggeration. On our bye week (last week) he was blowing my phone up about watching more video. I’m like, ‘Sal, give me a break, bro!’”
Coach Johnson has a history in big-time college and pro football. After junior college, he attended Georgia. Undrafted in 2015, he made his way onto six NFL rosters over four years before six years playing in the Arena League, XFL and UFL.
This is his year as a coach.
“The hometown guys don’t always get that respect,” said Coach Johnson. “But guys noticed Sal right away. He was always making plays. He was always working his butt off. And his versatility is amazing. You can put him anywhere. Trust me, he was looked at differently right away with us.”
Coach Johnson said while Lupoli’s energy and effort stand out, so does his ability to process information.
“I don’t have to dumb things down for him,” said Coach Johnson. “He’s a very smart young man. His football IQ is through the charts. I’m not surprised he’s getting a shot at the next level. Some guys just need a chance and he got it here.”
Coach Johnson recalls conversations with other players, talking about they need to do to get better.
“I’ve said it more than few times, to guys that played a bigger schools than he did, ‘Look at Sal. Look at what he’s doing,’” said Coach Johnson. “Sal treats being on the field goal block team like his life is on the line.”
Coach Johnson came up with a little slogan a few weeks into his time with the Pirates.
“In Sal we trust,” said Johnson, laughing. “You can put him anywhere on the football field and he will to the right thing. I’ve seen a lot of guys come and go in this game, and Sal has what it takes to play at the next level. He would a special teams’ demon in the NFL.”
Coach Johnson said one of his friends, a former NFL linebacker, made the trip to a recent game. Afterward, that friend was most impressed with Lupoli.
“I’m excited for him because he deserves this opportunity with the Patriots,” said Coach Johnson. “He’s made this year fun for me, pushing me to be better. (NFL teams) bring 90 guys to camp. He deserves to be one of them.”