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FOXBORO - Shawn Crable had a long road to travel to Sunday's selection by the New England Patriots.

The University of Michigan's four-year outside linebacker went from being a product of the foster-care system in his native Massillon, Ohio, to an emancipated 18-year-old entrusted with his own care, and finally to a college graduate and third-round draft choice of one of the best teams in football.

That may not have been accomplished without the love, care and guidance of Ella Kirkland, whom Crable considers to be as close to a real mother as he has ever known.

"She means the world to me," Crable said of Kirkland, who brought him into her home when he was 11 to become part of her family. "She is an angel. She got me on track. I was a little rough around the edges before I got with her. She took the time, nurtured me and got me on track to where I thought I could do something in college. She's the one who got me into sports."

Crable had been in foster care since he was 5, changing residences at least three times before he met Kirkland and bonded with her and her two sons. Over the next six years, the stability of their home life led the future Wolverine into sports at Washington High School and beyond. "Yes, I owe a lot of it to her," he said. "I say my prayers every night and pray the best for her."

After a standout high school career, Crable went on to become an All-Big Ten second-team selection. The Wolverines led the nation in rushing defense (43.4 yards) and were 10th overall in total defense, allowing only 268.3 yards per game, and Crable contributed 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 10.5 stops for losses while forcing two fumbles and recovering one.

At 6-foot-43/4 and 244 pounds, with room for more muscle on his frame, Crable is an imposing physical specimen. He joins first-round selection Jerod Mayo as an infusion of youth to a linebacking corps that was beginning to show the wear bars on the tires.

Crable is looking forward to playing and practicing along side the inside linebacker from Tennessee.

"I'm excited," Crable said. "I talked to him at the combine. He's a funny guy. I think we will get together, learn together and try to watch people. We will sit back and watch how things flow as we learn. I think we will be very competitive with each other."