Marquan McCall is Bill Belichick's new Nose Tackle

Marquan McCall has a new home in the National Football League. The former Kentucky Wildcat was picked up by the New England Patriots today, one day removed from his surprising exit in Carolina. 

The Panthers waived McCall on Monday, two weeks removed from head coach Frank Reich naming him the team’s starting nose tackle, and Bill Belichick didn’t wait 24 hours to get him to New England.

Reich called his shot. Upon waiving McCall, Reich predicted the second-year Kentucky product would soon find a team.

“We appreciate his contribution,” said Reich. “Honestly, we are doing it now because we think he is going to be on a roster somewhere.”

McCall was let go due to fit and scheme, he added.

In New England, the one we call “Bully” has a new opportunity at nose in the Patriots’ 3-4 defense. Last season, he made 15 tackles in 16 games as a rookie in Carolina, and Belichick saw enough to get him to Boston for more once the Panthers went in another direction.

The Patriots released injured wide receiver Tre Nixon to claim McCall off waivers.

McCall will wear the No. 97 in New England.

McCall at Kentucky

In Lexington, Marquan McCall was a fan favorite along Kentucky’s defensive line, where he arrived as the top-rated prospect in Mark Stoops’ 2018 recruiting class, and left for the NFL after playing in 40 games over a four-year career. He tallied 57 tackles and 10 tackles for loss as a Wildcat at a position that doesn’t record a ton of statistics, plus many unforgettable moments as a high-energy guy in the sideline.

As KSR sees it, Carolina will soon regret giving up Bully to New England, and the teams around the AFC East are probably unhappy that Belichick was the one to get him.