JP #98

Jeremiah Pharms Jr.

Defensive Tackle · Friends

The only player in Friends University history to reach the NFL, now a rotational defensive tackle for New England.

Jeremiah Pharms Jr. took one of the most unconventional routes in the league, working through junior college, an NAIA program, indoor football and the USFL before finally sticking with the Patriots. He has since become a fixture on New England's defensive line, active roster and practice squad alike.

★ Only player in Friends University history to reach the NFL

★ 14.5-sack season at Friends University

★ 16 games played, 33 tackles for New England in 2024

★ Recorded sacks on Caleb Williams and Josh Allen in 2024

Path to the league

Pharms played college football at Sacramento City College, San Joaquin Delta College and finally Friends University in Kansas, where he produced a 14.5-sack season and became the only player in program history to reach the NFL. He went undrafted in 2020, then spent time with the Wichita Force of the Champions Indoor Football League and the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL before signing with the New England Patriots on July 19, 2022. His father, Jeremiah Pharms Sr., played at the University of Washington and was part of the school's 2000 Rose Bowl championship team.

Career highlights

After beginning on New England's practice squad in 2022, Pharms worked his way onto the 53-man roster and played in 12 games in 2023. In 2024, he made the roster to start the season for the first time in his career, appearing in 16 games with five starts, 33 tackles and sacks on Caleb Williams and Josh Allen.

2025 season recap

Pharms played in three games in 2025 before being released and re-signed to New England's practice squad, a cycle that has defined much of his pro career. He sacked Jets quarterback Brady Cook in a late-season game, though he was penalized for roughing the passer on the play. He traveled with the Patriots to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX as a practice-squad member but did not play in the game.