FOXBORO – It’s not every day that Bill Belichick gets on the phone to recruit players to join the Patriots.

Especially not undrafted players coming out of college.

But he saw something special in Gary Guyton, who went undrafted in 2008. So he called the Georgia Tech star to invite him to Foxboro for a tryout.

But as the Patriots coach tells the story, Guyton first wanted to know why Belichick, or any other coach for that matter, did not draft him.

After all, of the 34 linebackers invited to the NFL Combine in that year, Guyton felt like he had one of the best showings. Not only did he run the fastest 10-yard (1.46), and 40-yard (4.47) dash times of all the linebackers, he also had the best linebacker marks in the vertical jump (36.5 inches) and the broad jump (10 feet, 6 inches).

Belichick said it was a good question, and he didn’t have an answer for Guyton, who flew under the radar at the Combine as experts said he lacked the eye-popping athleticism that teams were looking for.

But he did say that the Patriots were thinking of drafting him or linebacker Bo Ruud with their 197th overall pick, and they chose Ruud instead of Guyton.

In fact, 30 linebackers were taken in that draft, but Guyton wasn’t one of them. He would have the last laugh. Guyton not only made the Patriots’ opening-day roster, he saw action in 14 games. With a lot of hard work, Guyton worked his way into the starting lineup for two games last season and became the first rookie to start a game for the Patriots in the Belichick Era.

Ruud, meanwhile, spent last season on injured reserve and he was waived in April.

Belichick said Guyton has earned everything that he’s gotten in the NFL.

“He’s smart,” Belichick said. “He’s well-prepared. He has a real good understanding of football – the running game, the passing game. He’s good in coverage. He understands coverage. He understands the running game. He understands defensive adjustments, not just his role, but where other people have to be or if somebody else has to do something and how that affects him. That’s really what you want in a defensive signal caller, somebody that understands how it all works.”

Guyton started the Patriots’ season-opener against the Buffalo Bills at outside linebacker, but he moved to the inside linebacker position during the game after Jerod Mayo got hurt and has been starting at inside linebacker ever since.

Guyton said it has been a smooth transition to inside linebacker because he is a student of the game and is always learning. He also played both positions at Georgia Tech, where he finished second on the team in tackles as a senior with 78.

“When I come in, I always look at film and try to get better at what I do to see everything that I’ve done wrong and try to get better,” Guyton said. “The main objective in this league is to win games, and I’m trying to make myself better to put myself in the best situation I can be in.”

In six games so far this season, Guyton has already matched the 34 tackles that he registered in 14 games last year.

“Experience for me is just remarkable to have right now,” Guyton said. “Being that I’m a young guy and am able to get all of the different looks and the experience I get, any experience I get playing on the field and having a lot of snaps is great for me. I have grown and become a better player from that.”

With the offseason trade of Mike Vrabel and the retirement of Tedy Bruschi, Guyton knew that he was going to play a larger role in the Pats’ linebacking corps this season. But he didn’t know how big. When Mayo sprained his right MCL in the season opener, Guyton went from being a complementary piece to the quarterback of the defense.

“I’ve improved as a linebacker,” Guyton said. “It’s the experience. The experience itself is just remarkable to have, so any experience that I get playing football, I’m always willing and ready to take on those challenges.”

With 34 total tackles on the season, Guyton ranks third on the Patriots, behind safeties Brandon McGowan (38) and Brandon Meriweather (37).

Guyton believes that every game he gets to play in the NFL is a blessing.

“He’s a very humble player who works hard and has earned everything he’s got,” Belichick said. “You really have a lot of respect for a player like that.”

Guyton returned to the Georgia Tech campus and worked as an office assistant when he wasn’t in the Patriots’ offseason programs this past summer to stay grounded. He also tattooed the area code (912) of his hometown –– Hinesville, Ga. –– on the inner part of his left wrist so that he would never forget where he came from.

“It has been a long road,” Guyton said. “I have come far and I have achieved some things here. I’m enjoying it. I’m happy. I don’t look back as much. I always look forward. I’m going forward now and I’m trying to do the best I can every day.”

roblee@projo.com