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Stockton's own Patriots’ Jeremiah Pharms talks Super Bowl and more
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- Stockton's own Patriots’ Jeremiah Pharms talks Super Bowl and more
Stockton is headed to Super Bowl LX.
Well, not exactly — but one of its own will be on the field.
San Joaquin Delta College alum and Stockton native Jeremiah Pharms is set to take the field on Super Bowl Sunday as a member of the New England Patriots .
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Pharms, a defensive tackle, is also a Stagg High School Class of 2014 graduate .
Dec 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98) sacks New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook (4) but is penalized for roughing the passer during the second half of the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
After stops at Sacramento City College and San Joaquin Delta College, Pharms earned a full-ride football scholarship to Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He went undrafted in 2019, played for the Wichita Force of the Champions Indoor Football League in 2021, then was drafted by the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL in 2022, recording 32 tackles and two sacks in 10 games.
Later that year, Pharms signed with the Patriots' practice squad and has remained with the organization since.
Since making his NFL debut Oct. 1, 2023 against the Dallas Cowboys , Pharms has totaled 17 solo tackles, 24 assisted tackles and two sacks.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 29: Jeremiah Pharms Jr. #98 of the New England Patriots walks to the field during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Enough from us. Now, it's time to hear from him.
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In this exclusive conversation, Pharms reflects on his Stockton roots, what representing the city on football's biggest stage means to him, the Patriots' Super Bowl run and a few quick hitters that take readers inside the locker room and into who he is beyond the helmet.
Here is the Jeremiah Pharms Q&A — 18 questions, start to finish.
Franquell Moppins (left) and her son Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (right) at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. Pharms was recently signed to the New England Patriots.
Q: Jeremiah, you're hours away from playing in the Super Bowl. When you hear that out loud, what goes through your mind?
A:"It's a surreal feeling. As I sit here in my hotel room and look at the stadium, the crazy part is it still hasn't fully hit that I'll be a part of this game. I feel like once I get in the stadium, my feet touch the grass and the national anthem plays, everything will kick off and it'll fully hit. With all the gear I've gotten, the photos we've taken and the practices we've had, it still feels like another preparation week — just on another level. I see the logos everywhere, but it still hasn't fully hit me."
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Q: What does it mean to you to represent Stockton on the biggest stage in football, practically in your own backyard?
A:"It feels good to be seen and heard. For so long, I was unnoticed and ignored. It just shows that with patience, and by keeping your head down and working, good things will happen. You might not be seen now, but soon your time will come when it needs to come. With me being on the roster, off the roster and still getting the amount of love I've gotten from my city, I'm just appreciative of everything that's been going on."
Q: What's one lesson Stockton taught you that shows up in your game today?
A:"The persistence of not giving up. Life throws things at you — you've just got to take it on the chin and keep going. Then it's about making the most of what you've got. I see my mom do that time and time again. I see people around me do that. I see friends and the way they grew up. You've just got to make the most of what you've got. You can't really complain, because complaining gets you nothing. You've got to work for what you want. You've got to go out and get it."
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Q: Even with everything going on, you've found time to come back to Stockton and work with local kids . Why has that remained a priority for you?
A:"I just want to be the help I never had. Seeing me makes them realize it's possible — that they can make it to this stage. Kids DM me, and I DM right back. That's really what it's about, giving them hope and letting them know they don't need to chase fast money and risk their life or their freedom. There are other avenues they can take. I want to be that guy somebody can reach out to, to let them know someone's listening and someone sees them. I just want to make them feel seen, make them feel heard and give them the confidence to keep going."
Q: What advice would you give to young people in Stockton who are trying to make it, no matter the path they choose?
A:"Just continue to stay focused. It's going to get hard before it gets easier. That may sound crazy to hear, but in the end, it will all be worth it. Along my journey, people always told me, 'Well, what if you don't make it? What are you going to do? You're not going to make it.' My rebuttal was, 'What if I do make it?' Think about how crazy it is to make the NFL from Friends University, to make the NFL after playing arena football, to make the NFL after not playing my junior year unless we were blowing a team out, and then to win a defensive MVP on a stacked team with guys who were more talented than me. It's not about where you are — you just have to continue to work. You'll get what you deserve if you do. People will try to steer you the wrong way, but know your path and your journey. Once you put your mind to it, you can do it. Don't let anybody tell you different. If I quit at any point, I wouldn't be here right now."
Dec 1, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (12) runs with the ball against New England Patriots defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Q: What part of this Super Bowl week have you enjoyed most so far?
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A:"Spending time with my family. We've been doing all the Super Bowl events — wife, kids, moms, brothers and sister. Just enjoying this time."
Q: You've seen this team grow over the past few years. What has stood out to you as the main reason the Patriots have found so much success this year?
A:"Mike Vrabel. Vrabel has brought a new identity to this team. He's made us closer. He's made us more connected, and he holds everybody accountable. We talked about it today in our meeting. We just feel connected and feel like a real team."
Q: When you think of this Patriots defense, what stands out most to you?
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A:"How unselfish we are. We've got guys who play multiple positions. We've got guys who do special teams on top of defense. We all just trust each other. Everybody knows exactly where they need to be, and we all know our jobs. You don't have to worry about doing somebody else's job, because you can trust that person is going to do theirs."
Q: What is it about Drake Maye that makes him such a special quarterback?
A:"Just the way he practices. The preparation is seen in each and every practice. He's not just throwing the ball to throw the ball. He's throwing it with a purpose. He's taking control of the huddles. Seeing him from his rookie year to this year, it's been a big jump."
Q: What must the Patriots do on Sunday to put themselves in position to win the Super Bowl?
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A:"Play to the identity. We know what we need to do. We know who we are."
Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut (36) fumbles the ball after getting hit by New England Patriots defensive end Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (70) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.
Q: Who's the funniest guy in the locker room?
A:" Cory Durden or Christian Barmore . Funny in two different ways."
Q: Who controls the music before games — and what's usually playing?
A:"It's like a collective unit. I never really ask — the music just plays."
Q: Favorite moment from this season so far?
A:"The next one."
Q: Who are some teammates you've especially enjoyed playing with during your time with the Patriots?
A:"The leaders on this team have been amazing. Mack Hollins . Milton Williams . Stefon Diggs . Just being around those guys, they brought a different energy to this team. Those were free-agent pickups. You can feed off those guys."
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen avoids New England Patriots Daniel Ekuale and breaks Jeremiah Pharms Jr. 's attempted tackle to gain several yards on a carry during first half action at Highmark Stadium.
Q: Any Stockton food spots you have to hit when you're back home?
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A:"Just the fact that I'm on the East Coast, it's not even anything purely Stockton. I've just got to get In-N-Out, L&L and Jack in the Box, too."
Q: What's your go-to pregame meal?
A:"If it's a one o'clock game, I won't even eat — I'll drink a protein shake. But if it's a night game, I'll probably eat something light, like a Subway sandwich. My sandwich is just meat and cheese. I don't even eat vegetables."
Q: How do you unwind?
A:"Get a good stretch in, read up on my last-minute keys and then just try to get a good night's rest."
Q: One word to describe this week?
A:"Grateful."
This article originally appeared on The Record: New England Patriots' Jeremiah Pharms talks Super Bowl, Stockton and more
