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What to know about offensive tackle Conor McDermott

Conor McDermott started 24 games at left tackle for UCLA over the last two seasons.David Zalubowski/AP

A closer look at Conor McDermott, the Patriots’ sixth-round pick:

Position: Offensive tackle. College: UCLA. Height/Weight: 6-8/307.

Need to know: Started 24 games at left tackle for UCLA over the last two seasons . . . Prior to taking over as the Bruins’ left tackle as a redshirt sophomore in 2014, his first starting action was as a blocking tight end . . . Took off in 2015, earning second-team All-Pac-12 accolades from conference coaches, an honor he matched in 2016, earning an invitation to the prestigious Senior Bowl . . . In 2015, the Bruins’ offensive line gave up 14 sacks all season, the second-lowest total in program history . . . Hometown is Nashville, where he attended Ensworth High School . . . Played tight end, offensive and defensive tackle in high school, serving as team captain in 2009 and 2011 . . . Graduated with an undergraduate degree last spring.

Miscellany: McDermott guided his high school football and basketball teams to state championships as a senior, earning the distinction of being named Mr. Basketball for the state of Tennessee in 2011.

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■ He didn’t send out video of his football highlights until his senior year. Then the Bruins recruited him as a tight end.

■ His father, Kevin, played basketball for South Dakota State and his older brother, Kevin, was a long snapper for UCLA from 2008-11 and is now with the Vikings. Conor said Saturday that he can be the long snapper in a pinch, having played in high school and serving as the occasional backup in college. He said his brother has been helpful through the draft process.

“He’s been great, just giving me advice here and there. He’s been through it and he has gotten to see how the NFL works a little bit through his process the past four years and he’s just been a great mentor. [Inaudible] it’s been a great experience.”

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■ McDermott and Antonio Garcia, whom the Patriots drafted in the third round, spent time together at the Senior Bowl.

“We spent a good amount of time together. We were on the same team and practiced together every day, watched film together in meetings. He’s just a great guy. I’m happy for him and excited to work together.”

■ McDermott weighed between 235 and 240 pounds when he enrolled at UCLA. He said it was a struggle to gain weight with his high metabolism, but said on Saturday that he is up to 315.

“It was tough at first. I had a high metabolism growing up. By the time I was playing my 2014 season, my junior year, I think was 275, 280. It was a slow process of 10 or 20 pounds each year, and then by 2015, I was about 300, 305.”

■ McDermott was more of a hoopster than a football player growing up.

“I changed to football my senior year of high school and never looked back, so it was a great experience.”

Watch McDermott’s highlights from a game against Southern Cal last season (he’s No. 68):

Here are some highlights from McDermott’s conference call on Saturday:

Q: What is your reaction to having the Patriots select you in the draft?

A: This is something I’ve been working towards since I was real little. Just to be here and share this moment with my family is a dream come true.

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Q: Are you a student of other tackles in the league, and have you watched much of Nate Solder here at the professional level?

A: I have watched Nate Solder. I’ve studied a lot of tackles and I’ve been a fan of his for a while, even when I was a skinny tight end being told I’d be a tackle one day. When I was first in high school I didn’t believe it, but he’s a great player and I look forward to meeting him.

Q: How do you feel about the opportunity to block for Tom Brady?

A: He’s a great quarterback and I’m excited to get to work with him and get to know him. I’m excited for the opportunity to come to the Patriots.

Q: What do you know about Dante Scarnecchia and how exciting is the prospect of working with him for you?

A: I just know he’s a great coach and very revered in the sport. I look forward to getting there and getting to work with him.

Watch: Ben Volin and Jim McBride break down the Patriots’ draft


Stats Inc., contributed to this report. Follow Rachel G. Bowers on Twitter @RachelGBowers.