Quick Facts
LeoBiography
Hjalte Froholdt (YELL-duh FROH-holt; born August 20, 1996) is a Danish professional American football guard for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Early years
He began playing football in his native Denmark for the Svendborg Admirals. After spending his sophomore year as an exchange student at a high school in Warren, Ohio, he returned to Denmark and played for the Søllerød Gold Diggers during his junior year. He then attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, his senior year before signing to play with the University of Arkansas.
College career
Froholdt was recruited to Arkansas by then–head coach Bret Bielema, who in 2019 was a defensive consultant for the New England Patriots.
In 2015, Froholdt played as a defensive lineman for the Razorbacks before switching to the offensive line in 2016. He played 13 games at left guard in 2016 and another 12 in 2017, not allowing a sack in 2017. He played three games at center in 2018 before moving back to left guard.
In 2019, Froholdt worked Super Bowl LIII as a broadcaster for the Danish media.
Professional career
Froholdt was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He is only the second native of Denmark to be drafted by an NFL team (the first was kicker Morten Andersen in 1982).
On August 31, 2019, he was placed on injured reserve as a result of a shoulder injury he sustained in Week 4 of preseason against the New York Giants.