FOXBORO — The Patriots don’t have much of a history of picking linebackers high in the NFL Draft under coach Bill Belichick, but it was no surprise yesterday that New England selected University of Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo with their first pick (10th overall) of the draft.

The Patriots are heading into the 2008-09 season having cut their youngest starting linebacker, Rosevelt Colvin (30), and not knowing if starting linebacker Junior Seau, 39, will be returning to the fold. So Mayo was a wise choice for a team looking to boost its linebacker core.

Mayo, who is coming off a breakout season where he was selected an All-American and to the All-Southeastern Conference team after leading the conference in tackles (140), couldn’t be happier to be a Patriot.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Mayo said.

The feeling is mutual.

“We are excited to have Jerod [Mayo] join our organization,” Belichick said. “He is a pretty versatile player, did a lot of things down at Tennessee. Played inside, played outside played in sub defense, played in the kicking game. He is a smart kid, runs well, pretty physical player and I think he will be a great addition to our football team. Where that fits, we will have to wait and see and how that goes with all the other players on our team.”

Mayo is a young, talented, physical linebacker who has a quick burst during blitzes and excellent range chasing down runners. He should fit in well in New England’s 3-4 scheme and probably won’t be thrown into the mix right away which will help his development.

He hopes to make an immediate impact, however.

“To be honest, I’m really confident,” Mayo said about contributing. “When people hear contribution they think, ‘Well this guy wants to come in and get Defensive Rookie of the Year,’ and things like that. That’s a goal of mine, but at the same time you can make a contribution on special teams. That’s one-third of the game. If that’s the case, then that’s the case. If I come in and do become a starter, then I want to make a contribution that way. Any part of the game, any aspect of the game they want me to play, I feel like I can succeed in.”

Mayo said he plans on learning a lot from inside linebackers Tedy Bruschi, who will be 35 when the season starts, and Seau, if he returns for his 19th season.

“I can’t help but to be good as long as I listen and take notes and learn from a great coach, a great coaching staff and great guys like Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi and all those guys,” Mayo said. “I’m just going to be like a sponge and try to take in as much as possible.”

The Patriots signed 28-year-old Victor Hobson in the off-season and he has experience at inside linebacker as well, while Pierre Woods and Eric Alexander will also look to increase playing time from last year at the position.

Considering Mayo’s potential as an NFL playmaker, the Patriots believe that Mayo could one day be an NFL star.

“He is one of the better linebackers we’ve seen in a while,” Belichick said.

Mike Vrabel, who will be 33 when the season starts, and Adalius Thomas, who will be 30 when the season starts, are the Patriots top two outside linebackers. While he is a better fit as an inside linebacker, Mayo has experience at outside linebacker as well, and he is also willing to play special teams, which will help him find a place on the team.

Mayo said that he will play any position for the Pats.

“I don’t have a preference at all,” Mayo said. “Wherever coach wants to put me, [I’ll play].”

With a 4.54 time in the 40-yard dash, Mayo, who recorded 236 tackles (137 solo) with six quarterback pressures, 6½ sacks for minus-51 yards, and 21 stops for losses of 82 yards in his college career, will be one of the fastest linebackers on the Patriots roster.

“He has been a productive player at a top program in a top conference at a couple of different spots and that includes against the run and the pass and on fourth down and in the kicking game,” Belichick said as to the reasons why the Patriots believe Mayo could be an impact player in the future.

roblee@projo.com