Undrafted Rookie WR Has Big Time Punt Return in Preseason Opener

New England Patriots football is back! The 2024 NFL season is officially here as the Patriots first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers is underway.

The first big play for the Patriots special teams came in the second quarter when undrafted wide receiver David Wallis made an impressive 24 yard punt return. The return set up the Patriots to score their first score of the preseason.

Willis, 23 went to college at Randolph Macon College in the State of Virginia. The D3 speedster had 3144 yards and 34 touchdowns in his four year collegiate career. With the weather being wet, not only did Willis do a good job protecting the football, he also made an impressive play against the Panthers.

Making a good first impression of live NFL action in front of the Patriots coaching staff.

This is the first preseason game for the New England Patriots against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. The team will play two more before they must cut the roster to 53 players in preparation for Week 1 of the NFL Regular season. The Patriots will open the year on the road at Paycor Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 8th at 1 PM EST.

One of the main focuses of the first game of the preseason for the Patriots will be the first professional action of rookie Quarterback Drake Maye who was selected with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft this past offseason. You can find a list of the rest of the rookies drafted this season on the Patriots roster here .

The game will also be the first under the new head coaching regime led by former player Jerod Mayo. He takes over with huge shoes to fill after New England moved on from future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick after 24 seasons.

Be sure to stay up to date with Patriots Country to catch more highlights and analysis from Thursday’s Preseason opener.