Last May, Miami Hurricanes running backs coach Eric Hickson visited Deerfield Beach (FL) to offer a scholarship to 2022 4-star RB Jaziun Patterson.
“It felt great because Miami was always one of my dream schools,” Patterson said. “When I posted the offer, all the fans were going crazy, I just felt good.”
Over the past year, the 5-11 170 pound back has spent time building a relationship with Hickson, and Patterson feels he’d be a good fit for what Hickson is looking for in a RB.
“He tells me they like running backs that like contact, but also like running backs that can get away from contact,” Patterson said of Hickson. “They want a versatile running back that can run the ball and also catch the ball. He said they work over there, you’ve got to come in and be a dog if you want to play.”
Patterson has now visited UM multiple times, including in late January for Miami’s junior day event.
“I like the campus, especially the indoor facilities,” Patterson said. “I was talking to coach Hickson (at junior day), sitting with all the Miami running backs and getting to know them. I actually was in a meeting with the Miami running backs. They were going over their plays and the basics of the offense.”
Is he comfortable with the new spread attack that offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee is bringing to Miami?
“I’m comfortable with anything - any situation, any formation, I’m comfortable,” Patterson said.
Ultimately, the running back tradition at UM is something that attracts Patterson to becoming a Hurricane.
“All the dogs come from Miami,” Patterson said. “If you go to Miami as a running back, you’re going to make it.”
For the past two years at Deerfield, Patterson has shared the Bucks’ backfield with current Hurricane Jaylan Knighton. Patterson says that the two have established a strong bond over that time and that Knighton attempts to recruit him to UM to play together again.
“Jaylan’s like my big brother,” Patterson said. “He tells me ‘C’mon little bro, we could be the face of Miami’. I told him I have to think about it.”
As a sophomore in 2019, Patterson notched 53 carries, 393 rushing yards and 8 TD’s to go along with 6 catches, 66 receiving yards, and 2 TD’s out of the backfield for the Bucks while playing second fiddle to Knighton. For his junior season, Patterson is making moves to prepare for the increased workload that comes with being a team’s lead back.
“I feel like I performed great as a sophomore, but I feel like I could’ve done more. That’s going to come this season,” Patterson said. “I’m working on my speed, getting bigger legs, my footwork and getting in and out of the hole, little stuff. Hopefully we go to states and win, it’s personal this season.”
The Deerfield star cites FSU, Auburn, and Penn State as those that are involved with him the most aside from Miami, and Patterson is planning to make his decision sooner rather than later.
“They’re all just trying to build a relationship with me,” Patterson said of the other programs recruiting him. “I’ll probably put out a top 7 and then make a decision from there. I wanted to [commit] close to the end of my junior season, around playoffs.”
Patterson’s most recent visit was to FSU for their junior day event in early February, and he spoke on what the experience was like.
“I got a chance to talk to the head coach, coach (Mike) Norvell,” Patterson said. “He says he really wants me. I like their campus for sure.”
“It felt great because Miami was always one of my dream schools,” Patterson said. “When I posted the offer, all the fans were going crazy, I just felt good.”
Over the past year, the 5-11 170 pound back has spent time building a relationship with Hickson, and Patterson feels he’d be a good fit for what Hickson is looking for in a RB.
“He tells me they like running backs that like contact, but also like running backs that can get away from contact,” Patterson said of Hickson. “They want a versatile running back that can run the ball and also catch the ball. He said they work over there, you’ve got to come in and be a dog if you want to play.”
Patterson has now visited UM multiple times, including in late January for Miami’s junior day event.
“I like the campus, especially the indoor facilities,” Patterson said. “I was talking to coach Hickson (at junior day), sitting with all the Miami running backs and getting to know them. I actually was in a meeting with the Miami running backs. They were going over their plays and the basics of the offense.”
Is he comfortable with the new spread attack that offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee is bringing to Miami?
“I’m comfortable with anything - any situation, any formation, I’m comfortable,” Patterson said.
Ultimately, the running back tradition at UM is something that attracts Patterson to becoming a Hurricane.
“All the dogs come from Miami,” Patterson said. “If you go to Miami as a running back, you’re going to make it.”
For the past two years at Deerfield, Patterson has shared the Bucks’ backfield with current Hurricane Jaylan Knighton. Patterson says that the two have established a strong bond over that time and that Knighton attempts to recruit him to UM to play together again.
“Jaylan’s like my big brother,” Patterson said. “He tells me ‘C’mon little bro, we could be the face of Miami’. I told him I have to think about it.”
As a sophomore in 2019, Patterson notched 53 carries, 393 rushing yards and 8 TD’s to go along with 6 catches, 66 receiving yards, and 2 TD’s out of the backfield for the Bucks while playing second fiddle to Knighton. For his junior season, Patterson is making moves to prepare for the increased workload that comes with being a team’s lead back.
“I feel like I performed great as a sophomore, but I feel like I could’ve done more. That’s going to come this season,” Patterson said. “I’m working on my speed, getting bigger legs, my footwork and getting in and out of the hole, little stuff. Hopefully we go to states and win, it’s personal this season.”
The Deerfield star cites FSU, Auburn, and Penn State as those that are involved with him the most aside from Miami, and Patterson is planning to make his decision sooner rather than later.
“They’re all just trying to build a relationship with me,” Patterson said of the other programs recruiting him. “I’ll probably put out a top 7 and then make a decision from there. I wanted to [commit] close to the end of my junior season, around playoffs.”
Patterson’s most recent visit was to FSU for their junior day event in early February, and he spoke on what the experience was like.
“I got a chance to talk to the head coach, coach (Mike) Norvell,” Patterson said. “He says he really wants me. I like their campus for sure.”
