Interview: California 4-Star 2018 OT Jarrett Patterson is a Top Technician Being Overlooked Nationally

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A lot is made about the skill position players and quarterbacks coming out of the high school ranks in California but rarely do the Golden State “big uglies” get their due. The prevailing national thought on the offensive linemen in California might be tepid at best but that is for the misinformed. The 2017 group produced top linemen like five-star Wyatt Davis (Ohio State), four-star Aaron Banks (Notre Dame), four-star Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC), four-star Andrew Vorhees (USC), four-star Kanan Ray (UCLA), top center Brett Neilon (USC), Casey Roddick (Colorado), Drew Dalman (Stanford), Nick Ford (Utah), Popo Aumavae (Oregon), and Jalen McKenzie (USC).

The star studded list in the trenches continues with the 2018 class including four-star tackle Tommy Brown (Mater Dei), four-star Steven Jones (Chaparral), four-star Justin Dedich (Chaparral), Chris Murray (Mater Dei), Blake McDonald (San Ramon Valley), Miles Ownes (Bishop O’Dowd), Kevin Coblentz (St. John Bosco), and four-star Jarrett Patterson, just to name a few. Despite being rated as a four-star by 247Sports, Patterson is one of the best technicians in the group but is being overlooked by a lot of Division-I coaches.

Few teams have been as successful on the field over the past two seasons as Mission Viejo. The Diablos nailed a perfect season in 2015 posting a 16-0 record against Division-II competition. The raise in levels did not slow down the team steamrolling over their opponents to an 11-1 mark in 2016 before a tough playoff loss to Rancho Cucamonga. One of the key players for Mission Viejo at a key spot on the field over the past two seasons has been Patterson at left tackle.

The scouting report on the 6-5, 275 pound, lineman reads like a wish list for most college players even three to four years his elder. Patterson is quick off the snap playing with great balance bending at the knees instead of the waist setting up a road block for hopeful pass rushers. Patterson also plays with a low pad level and within his base rarely getting caught extending out grabbing for a defender. He can also pull and trap as well as any picking a solid aiming point every time. One of the other things college coaches new to Patterson’s abilities will love his is want to on finishing plays. Few opposing defenders have left a Mission Viejo game over the past two years without a turf burn on their backside or grass stains on their butt that might as well been signed with a Sharpie by Patterson.

The superlatives for Patterson can be justified by outside sources. At the end of his junior year honors rolled in from all over earning first team All-South Coast League, first team All-County, first team All-CIF, and second team All-State. Seven other big outside honors have been placed in front of Patterson in the form of scholarship offers. Thus far Connecticut, Hawaii, Nevada, San Jose State, Fresno State, UNLV, and Washington State have extended offers with reported interest coming in from Cal, Duke, Stanford, and Arizona State.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized Q&A, I sat down with one of the rising stars in the 2018 class covering his high school career to date, off-season workouts, and his recruiting process.

Interview

Jarrett, you’ve been on Mission Viejo’s roster since 2014, how much playing time did you get during your freshman season?

“I played freshman football and was then pulled up to see what it was like at the varsity level. I played on the scout team at the end of my freshman year.”

You played both left guard and left tackle last year, which position do you like playing best?

“I did not play guard that much. I like playing left tackle. That is what I am best at playing.”

What challenges does playing left tackle bring for you?

“The biggest challenge are outside speed rushers. The guys that are versatile and athletic off the edge.”

Who was the toughest defensive lineman or linebacker you went up against last year?

“I’d say Long Beach Poly’s linebacker Josh Brown (2017 Arizona signee). He was a tough guy to block. San Margarita’s Abdul-Malik McClain (3-star 2018 DE), he’s now at JSerra, was another tough one.”

How did you adjust your game and step up to the challenge?

“You just gotta bring it. I played against a lot of top guys my sophomore year. That prepared me for the challenge.”

How did you prepare for each game last season?

“Saturday morning we would watch game film. On Sundays I would watch my opponent’s film to see his weakness and strengths. I would get a good idea what they would do to help prepare for the game.”

What are college coaches telling you they like about your abilities on the field?

“They like how fast I can kick and pass set. They like how I can move in space pretty fast.”

Which position are most colleges recruiting you to play?

“Tackle.”

What are you working on this off-season to prepare for your senior year?

“Getting better at run blocking.”

Do you work with an offensive line coach?

“I work with Sam Baker. He played for seven years with Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. He is a great coach and a great mentor.”

What is the focus of the workouts with Coach Baker?

“My pad level and finishing blocks with my hips.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this off-season?

“Yes. My bench is 325, my squat is 475, and my clean is 315.”

Nice. Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered you yet?

“Duke and Cal are the main ones.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have seven now. I just picked up an offer from UNLV.”

How did UNLV offer you?

“I was about to go into the weight room when my coach said UNLV’s head coach, Coach (Tony) Sanchez was on the phone and wanted to offer me.”

Which schools have you visited so far?

“I have been to Fresno State, USC, Duke, UConn, San Jose State, Nevada, Arizona State and I have UCLA and Washington State coming up in mid-April.”

From all of the visits that you have taken, is there anything that you have learned about the college game that has stuck with you or made an impression on you?

“I have learned that no matter what year you are if you are one of the best out there they will play you as a true freshman.”

Have you attended any football camps yet?

“I was attended the Under Armour All-American camp.”

How did that go?

“I did really well. I won all of my one-on-ones.”

Which camps might you attend this spring or summer?

“I may go to a USC and Duke camp. The Nike Opening Regional in Oakland is an option.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.33.”

Have you taken any of your standardized tests yet?

“No. I take the SAT on May 6.”

Which major might you pursue in college?

“I like computer science and computer engineering.”

Last question. What is the goal of your off-season?

“I have worked really hard to get where I am at and with the offers I have received. So far it has been a great off-season and I’m just going to keep working hard.”

Jarrett, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 78 Jarrett Patterson pass blocking (2016).

Photo credit: scout.com; No. 78 Jarrett Patterson pre-snap (2016).

Photo credit: Patterson family; Jarrett Patterson at Duke.