FOXBORO — Patriots wide receiver Diggs called defensive tackle/fullback Khyiris Tonga “the best two-way player in the league” on Tuesday.
Correction: Tonga, who’s 6-foot-2, 335 pounds, is a three-way player.
“That’s a guy that plays on three phases,” head coach Mike Vrabel said. “Helped us win defensively, helped us win offensively, and then goes out there and stands in the way of three guys on the field goal protection unit.”
Vrabel said the idea of trying Tonga on offense as a fullback was a “group effort” because the Patriots were looking to add more size at fullback to “try to push the pile a little bit.”
Tonga did have some experience on offense, as well. He started out as a tight end in high school.
The Patriots also have a more athletic option with Westover, who has increased his role at fullback, as well, in recent weeks.
Vrabel, who was also a three-way player with the Patriots as a linebacker, tight end and special-teamer, has been impressed with Tonga’s get-off in the two games he’s been used at fullback. The big defensive tackle is spry for his size and ran a 5.1-second 40-yard dash coming out of BYU in 2021.
“It’s impressive … just how quickly he gets out of his stance,” Vrabel said. “He’s been able to get out in front of the running back. Sometimes fullbacks are a little slower, they’re out of phase with the runner and the runners run up their heels.”
