FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots tapped the New England college football pipeline on Tuesday by bringing Maine alum Trevor Bates in for a workout at Gillette Stadium.

Bates, a 2016 seventh-round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts, was one of three linebackers in for workouts. The others were eight-year veteran Jasper Brinkley and third-year player Randell Johnson.

The Patriots have focused heavily on linebackers over the last week, signing Trevor Reilly to their practice squad last Thursday, working out five different free agents at the position, and trading with the Detroit Lions for Kyle Van Noy.

As for the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Bates, the Patriots were one of 10 teams to have a scout on hand at his pro day before the NFL draft. The Colts took him 239th overall and he made an early impression on veteran Robert Mathis. Bates opened the 2016 season on the Colts' practice squad and was promoted for a Week 5 game against the Bears, playing 22 special-teams snaps.

Bates, who is from Westbrook, Maine, played in 46 games in college and totaled 207 tackles (35 for loss), with 19 sacks, three interceptions, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine pass breakups.

Meanwhile, Brinkley has played for the Minnesota Vikings (2009-2012, 2014), Arizona Cardinals (2013) and New York Giants (2015) and Johnson was with the Buffalo Bills in 2014 and 2015.

The Patriots also signed defensive back Shamiel Gary to their practice squad on Tuesday.