FOXBORO — Undrafted rookie outside linebacker Elijah Ponder has been a late riser for the Patriots this season.

The rookie free agent, who came to the Patriots out of Cal Poly, has three sacks in his last four games. Ponder has seen his playing time increase since the Patriots traded Keion White to the 49ers in October, and he’s made the most of those opportunities with sacks against the Buccaneers, Jets and Giants.

Ponder has 10 total pressures, including seven hurries, this season.

This summer, he was called “probably one of the best (undrafted) free agent pickups” that Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith had seen.

Ponder’s 8.7 pass-rush productivity — a metric devised by PFF — ranks second among 19 qualified rookie edge rushers this season.

The 6-foot-3, 261-pound defender tested extremely well at his Cal Poly pro day in March, running a 4.64-second 40-yard dash with a 41-inch vertical leap, 11-feet broad jump, 6.99-second 3-cone drill and 4.28-second short shuttle with 22 bench press reps of 225 pounds.

That athleticism stands out to Smith.

“He just moves like a vet. He’s very smooth. He’s strong. He’s starting to understand the leverage and stuff,” Smith said late last month.

“Sometimes I just watch him with (senior defensive assistant) Ben McAdoo. He’s over there with me, and we both sometimes just stop and look at each other like, ‘Wow, that was pretty impressive that he can bend like that at that size.’ He’s (a) guy that can play multiple positions. That kids got a bright future. He’s got a lot of work to do. … He’s just getting better every week. There’s still a handful of things he’s got to work on, and always got to work on, but he’s just a kid that, man, we were lucky to get him. He’s a great find. He’s a great one.”

Learn more about Ponder on and off the field in the latest installment of out New Patriots series.

What was your first football memory?

Probably the first time I went out to go play football, they threw me in pads right away. And I just remember running down the field with no jersey, just shoulder pads on. And it was like, that’s just so crazy to me to think about that.

How old were you?

That was first or second grade. I was 6, 7.

What position were you playing?

I was playing running back. I feel like that’s everybody’s first position.

What’s your top high school football memory?

We had an overtime game against Bishop Alemany. Just because it was a close, close game the whole time and came out with the win. That was crazy.

What was your top college football memory?

Against Sac State, we beat them by like three points, and then they ended up fumbling on the goal line, which made us win the game.

What made Cal Poly so special?

Cal Poly, for me, it was like, the people and the location. That was probably the biggest thing for me. It wasn’t too far from home for me. It was just the amount so I could be on my own and still go home when I wanted to. And, yeah, I mean all the people that I met there, they had a big impact on my life and who I am today. So that was the biggest thing.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a football player?

If I wasn’t football player, I think I’d still be trying to do sports. I mean, I think next up, probably like track and field. Jumping, though, not too much running.

New England Patriots rookie Elijah Ponder rushes during the first half an NFL preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Friday, Aug. 8. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?

See, I couldn’t pick a favorite growing up, so I can’t tell you. I just liked playing, so I can’t tell you a favorite that I had.

Do you have a favorite movie?

No, but I will say, growing up, I watched the “Transformers” series a lot, so that was probably the biggest for me.

Do you have favorite musical artist?

I have a favorite genre. I like R&B. That’s pretty much the main thing I listen to that, like, over everything.

Who have you been closest with on the team so far?

How’d you say Bradyn. Bradyn Swinson. We came in the same room together as rookies. I mean, that’s —  you kind of set up to be close to each other. So that’s who I got close with the most.

Who’s the funniest player on the team?

Webby (Jeremiah Webb). That dude’s hilarious. Even if he’s not trying to be. He’s still a funny guy.

What have you liked the most about the New England region so far?

I kind of like how it’s not too busy. Like, obviously, you go to the city, it gets busy, but where we’re at over here, I would say, I like how it’s not too busy.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I used to play instruments. Yeah, I grew up playing piano and drums and guitar a little bit. I’ll say that.

And is there a topic you feel like you know more about than anyone else in the locker room.

Oh, I would just probably say architectural engineering, just because it was my major. So I just say that. I don’t know everybody’s major, but I don’t know if that’s a frequent thing that people (major in), so I’ll say that.