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Former Rutgers safety Jeremy Deering signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent.

(Patti Sapone/The Star-Ledger)

The Rutgers-to-Patriots pipeline lives on, as Bill Belichick has signed Scarlet Knights safety Jeremy Deering as an undrafted free agent, according to a source.

There had been whispers before the draft that the Patriots were interested in Deering, a 6-foot-1, 209-pound athlete from Tampa, Fla. Deering ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash in front of Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio at Rutgers' pro day in March. Deering also had a team-best 10'6" broad jump.

A former three-star recruit, Deering played all over the field in his four years at Rutgers. He spent time as a Wildcat quarterback, running back, wide receiver and kick returner during his first three seasons.

Deering was switched to safety as a senior and struggled with the adjustment to defense. He started 10 games at free safety for the defense that allowed the most passing yards in Rutgers history.

Deering has never complained about making so many position changes, and Rutgers coach Kyle Flood described him as "selfless." Deering doesn't have a positional preference entering the NFL.

"I would say I'm more comfortable on the offensive side of the ball just because I've played it more," Deering said this winter. "In life you have to adjust to every situation, so it wouldn't be a big adjustment if I stayed on defense because I already played defense. The best answer I can give is wherever they see me, because for me, I really don't care where I play. I just want to play."

Deering's most likely route to an NFL job is on special teams. He's reminiscent of Matthew Slater, who the Patriots selected in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.

Slater played receiver and safety at UCLA, but made his biggest impact with his speed on special teams. He has made the Pro Bowl three times in his six-year career due to his special teams performance. Slater will be an excellent role model for Deering.

Deering also will find plenty of familiar faces in the Patriots locker room. Four of his former Rutgers teammates joined the Patriots after the 2012 season – cornerback Logan Ryan, safety Duron Harmon, linebacker Steve Beauharnais and wide receiver Mark Harrison. The Rutgers contingent is led by Patriots captain Devin McCourty, who played for the Scarlet Knights from 2005-09.

Deering also had tryout offers from the Giants, Buccaneers, Steelers and Dolphins.

No Rutgers players were selected in the draft, but a number have since signed with teams. Wide receiver Brandon Coleman, who surprisingly went undrafted after being projected as a mid-round pick, signed with the Saints.

Wide receiver Quron Pratt signed with the Eagles, defensive end Marcus Thompson signed with the Dolphins, linebacker Jamal Merrell signed with the Titans. Merrell's twin brother, Jamil, a defensive end, has been invited to try-out for the Bears. Offensive lineman Antwan Lowery has earned a tryout with the Ravens.