2014 defensive tackle Jeremy Patterson was ready to impress at this year’s Friday Night Lights event. The biggest thing Patterson had worked on preceding FNL was his technique, he was happy to get technical with Florida defensive line coach Brad Lawing while at the event.
“I got a chance to work with the defensive line coach and I really liked that. He was telling me that I’m pretty good, but that I need to stay low, stuff like that,” Patterson said. His tendency to rise up out of his stance is something Patterson says other coaches have worked on him with, most notably Dan Brooks at Clemson.
Florida is competing against the Tigers as well as Florida State for Patterson’s services. The Seminoles primarily want him to play offensive guard instead of defensive tackle, much like they wanted current Florida commit JC Jackson to play on the offensive side of the ball, instead of cornerback. Unlike Jackson however, Patterson is willing to switch if needed.
“I just want to play ball,” Patterson said. The Seminoles are the only team recruiting him to play offense.
Patterson has an idea of when he’ll announce his commitment, but has no set date yet.
“Probably around December if I graduate early, because I’ve been thinking about graduating early,” Patterson said. The thought of arriving in college in January is something that keeps him focused on his grades during this summer.
Patterson has an official visit to Arkansas planned for the fall, but he plans to find his way to Gainesville sometime this football season.
“I’ll probably come up to a few games,” Patterson said.