Former Hogs Wise, Henry named team captains for Patriots

Former Hogs Wise, Henry showing leadership skills in the NFL.

When the New England Patriots announced their six team captains for the 2023 season on Friday, it came with a flair of Arkansas presence.

Two of the six selected had spent three years as teammates on the Razorbacks’ teams from 2013-15. Deatrich Wise, Jr., is entering his seventh season with the Patriots and his second as a team captain. Hunter Henry is in this third year with the New England, and his eighth overall season in the NFL. He was selected as a captain for the first time.

Wise, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound pass-rushing specialist from Carrolton, Tex.,  served as a team captain at Arkansas in 2016. He was a fourth-round pick of the Patriots in 2017 and help lead the team to the Super Bowl his first two seasons, winning it all in 2018.

Henry, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound product of Pulaski Academy, was one of the most prolific tight ends in Razorback history, winning the John Mackey Award in 2015 as the nation’s best tight end. He was drafted in the second round by San Diego in 2016, where he remained through 2020. He has battled through some injuries during his first two seasons in New England, but looks to be fully healthy for the 2023 campaign.

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) sits on the bench during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports