FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today the signing of first-round draft choice T Nate Solder. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Solder, a tackle from Colorado, was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 17th selection overall.
Solder, 6-8, 319 pounds, began his college career as a tight end before becoming an All-American offensive tackle and a finalist for the Outland Trophy for the best college football offensive lineman as a senior. A durable performer, the 23-year old Solder played in 2,540 out of a possible 2,542 plays on offense from the beginning of his sophomore season through the end of his senior campaign. Overall, he started in 36 of 49 total games during his college career, including four as a tight end in 2007.
