That’s an intriguing pedigree for a Patriots offense that needed to be “weaponized” this offseason. Polk has good size, solid speed and a knack for making tough catches, but it’s his maturity and professional demeanor that dates back to his days in high school that could be the best indicator that New England’s newest receiver has what it takes to succeed at the NFL level.
“He showed up as a [high school] freshman just full of confidence, just like he is now,” said Lufkin High School head coach Todd Quick, who coached Polk for four seasons. “He was no different then. He was just younger, but a great kid, always ready to go and a high-level thinker even as a freshman.”
Polk jumped right into the action in East Texas as a freshman, earning his first FBS scholarship offer to Illinois and then building on his early success with a breakout 40-catch sophomore season that earned him honorable mention All-District honors and more scholarship offers.
“He’s a great team player and always had goals,” said Quick. “A lot of the freshmen, a lot of the younger kids, they don’t think past one day and he had a plan. He knew what he wanted to do and knew what he wanted to end up being and he’s always been that way and he has really impacted the people around him. He’s made them think the same type of way.”
In his final two high school seasons, Polk led Lufkin to back-to-back district championships, earning third-team All-State and team MVP honors to close out his high school career. He finished second in Lufkin history in career receptions (131) and receiving yards (2,412) and third in receiving touchdowns (24).
“JP works when nobody’s looking and he put the time in when everybody else is out, messing around, playing around and everything,” recalled Quick. “You always talk to the kids about you are who you are when nobody’s around, that’s who you really are and that’s who he is. He talks a good game, but he backs it up because he is a doer and…
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