When Grafton High School football coach Chris McMahon arrived at school Monday morning, people couldn't wait to see to him.

Administrators, teachers, students all wanted to talk about Obi Melifonwu.

Just six years before, Melifonwu had walked these same halls and starred for McMahon's squad. Just a day before, he suited up for the Patriots in New England's win over the New York Jets at Met Life Stadium.

"It was a great day, it really was. It was exciting to see him out there in the Patriots uniform," McMahon said. "It's like a dream come true for him and for all of us to see him play for the Patriots. It's tremendously exciting."

It wasn't Melifonwu's first NFL game of course. After starring collegiately at UConn, Melifonwu was a second round pick in 2017 for the Oakland Raiders, but struggled to get and stay healthy. He appeared in just five games last year as a rookie and spent most of the year on injured reserve with knee and hip injuries.

Melifonwu made his debut in November, but was injured again in December. Oakland put him on I.R. again in August and cut him in October. After he cleared waivers, the Patriots signed him on Nov. 6.

Having him healthy and playing again for any NFL team would have been cause for celebration in Grafton. But having him contributing on special teams and defense for the hometown Patriots only added to that excitement.

"It was great to see him out there," said McMahon, who watched the game at home. "After everything that happened in Oakland, this is the absolute best position he could be in. It's a great organization."

McMahon thought his former player might make his New England debut after their text exchange this week.

"Thursday we texted back and forth. He told me everything was going really well and he was excited about the season and the upcoming game," he said. "I had a feeling based on that text."

Melifonwu saw action after spending three weeks learning the system.

"He's a talented young man. He was an excellent student at UConn. While was at UConn and Grafton as well, but especially at UConn, he watched a lot of film," McMahon said. "I would talk to him a lot about alignments and schemes. He would help us with alignments. He became a student of the game. I'm not surprised he was able to pick things up quickly. He has the ability to really grasp things."

Melifonwu, whose brother Ifeatu is a freshman defensive back at Syracuse, made a fast impression on McMahon.

"The first day I met him in eighth grade, I knew he was special. The way he carried himself then," McMahon said. "He had potential and ability most players don't have. With that and his work ethic, he works tremendously hard in the weight room and tremendously hard at improving his game."

It was his approach even more than his talent that makes McMahon hold Melifonwu up as somebody to emulate for his current players.

"He's somebody we use as an example. He went to Grafton High School, who worked hard in the classroom, on the football field and off the football field," McMahon said. "He went to UConn and continued that same work ethic. He reached the ultimate level. He's at the pinnacle of football. It definitely something we can use as a motivational tactic."

The coach hoped he might make it to one of the Patriots' remaining home games to see his former star in person.

"I hope so. I'd like to get down there," he said. "It was almost surreal to see him out there. It was great."