FOXBORO — Tight end Austin Hooper was one of the Patriots’ more under-the-radar signings in free agency, but he’s also proven to be one of their smartest outside additions.

Hooper has played over 50% of offensive snaps and has proven to be a dependable target for rookie quarterback Drake Maye with 23 catches for 236 yards with a touchdown.

Get to know Hooper, who likes to keep Maye humble and is one of the more interesting players we’ve interviewed for our new Patriots series.

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BH: What’s your first football memory?

AH: First football memory I was 12. I got my pads for the first time. My dad had a forearm shield, and he was teaching me how to block. The first time I ever tried to block, he just smoked me as hard as he could and like launched me backwards. He was like, ‘That’s the hardest you’ll ever be hit on a football field.’ So that was literally the first time ever, and my dad just smoked me. It was like, ‘Alright. That’s the hardest you’ll ever get him. Get up. Alright. Now you’re not scared.’

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper during Patriots Community Day at the Perkins Community Center. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

BH: Top high school football memory?

AH: Probably winning state. Winning state, California open division. I was at (De La Salle High School), we won state four years in a row. That was cool. So yeah, probably that.

BH: Top college football memory?

AH: Probably the biggest game was winning the Rose Bowl, but my favorite was beating SC in the Coliseum when they were good (in 2015). It’s always fun to just make Hollywood cry and see all of the celebrities in the stands like trying to chirp you, and you win. It’s beautiful.

BH: What made Stanford so special?

AH: When I was there, we had some really good teams. It was a combination of a lot of talented guys, talented coaches who worked and played really well together. It was just an awesome campus, a lot of really special people. Not even football-related, just the people you meet at school there, really interesting people.

BH: You guys went back to Stanford before you played the 49ers, right?

AH: We had a walk-through there. So, it was my first time back for a few years. It was beautiful.

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

AH: Ooh, what would I be doing? There’s no telling. Probably just have a job, man. Went to Stanford, so whatever, probably have a job somewhere in Silicon Valley, working some sales job for some tech deal or no idea. Thank god this worked out because I have no idea what I’d be doing.

BH: Who was your favorite athlete growing up?

AH: Growing up in the Bay Area, favorite athlete, that’s a good question. When I was younger I really liked baseball, so really liked watching Barry Zito pitch. It’s taboo to say his name, even though he’s one of the best hitters ever, Barry (Bonds). Watching Barry swing it. Growing up in the Bay Area, gotta watch the A’s and the Giants, so really loved baseball growing up, so those are probably my favorite players.

BH: Favorite movie?

AH: Pulp Fiction.

BH: Favorite musical artist?

AH: Curren$y

BH: Who have you been closest with since you joined the Patriots?

AH: Well, I’m in the room with Hunter (Henry) all day every day, so probably say I’m closest with him, David Andrews, Jacoby (Brissett), Drake (Maye). Some of the vets plus Drake.

BH: Who’s the funniest player on the team?

AH: Probably unintentionally funny would be Drake because he’ll hang out with the old guys, and he’ll just say something and we’re like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re like 21.’ We’ll like — not mean — but we keep Drake humble. Dear god, someone has to.

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper speaks to the media during training camp at Gillette Stadium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

BH: What’s your favorite thing about the New England region?

AH: The seafood is fantastic. Some of the best you can have in the country. The seafood is awesome. I enjoy history, so all of the history of New England is really interesting to kind of see what I’ve read about and check it out for myself. I’m enjoying it.

BH: Who’s a player around the league that’s underrated or underappeciated?

AH: I’d say a guy one of my favorite guys I’ve played with, kind of like a veteran special-teams type blocking tight end, Geoff Swaim. Really smart, good dude, super knowledgeable about the game and one of my favorite people I’ve worked with.

BH: Do you have a hidden talent?

AH: None’s coming to mind. Nothing that I can do that no one else can.

BH: Did you play baseball growing up?

AH: I did. Stopped after my freshman year of high school. Little Tommy John’s action. That’ll do it. I was like, ‘Alright, better get good at this football thing or I’m going to the military.’

BH: Were you a pitcher?

AH: Left-handed pitcher. Now, I’m left-handed for no reason.

BH: Could you throw heat?

AH: Yeah, for my age I was definitely up there. But yeah, blew out that elbow and now not anymore. If I pick up and throw a baseball I’m good for like five or 10 throws and then all of a sudden it just starts lighting up.