The New England Patriots have done their homework on Michael Sam.

The Patriots are among six teams that have shown the most interest in the first openly gay NFL draft prospect, along with the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, league sources told The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson.

Sam disappointed at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, running a 4.91-second 40-yard dash. He currently is projected as a seventh-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft by The Sports Xchange even after improving his 40-yard dash time to 4.69 seconds at his pro day in March.

Sam was the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 after recording 11.5 sacks for the Tigers.

Sam announced he’s gay on Feb. 9. If he makes an NFL roster, he would become the league’s first openly gay player.