University at Buffalo’s junior running back continues historic run
BUFFALO, N.Y. (BVM) — University at Buffalo’s junior running back Jaret Patterson was on showcase this past week as the Mid-American Conference (MAC) kicked off its first week of games.
The junior back helped lead the Bulls’ offense against Northern Illinois rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, earning MAC East Division Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors for his game. The effort against the Huskies may have turned some heads around college football, but around Buffalo, Patterson is a household name.
Sheesh. 😅
@__JP26 is a problem. That's his 35th career rushing TD — a new school record!
📺: https://t.co/7NvUXCfblX | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/3AGoWpS9RK
— #MACtion (@MACSports) November 5, 2020
Jaret and his twin brother, James, have made a major impact on the football field since they first arrived at the program. But, between the two of them, only one garnered significant attention coming out of Saint Vincent Pallotti High School in Maryland.
“My recruiting process was very slow, coaches thought I was undersized,” Jaret said in an interview with the MAC. “No coach really gave me a shot. I had a lot of interest but no offers. On the other side my brother had a lot of offers, 20-plus.”
For the Patterson brothers, the idea of playing with each other came to the forefront for their decision.
“… Buffalo decided to give me an opportunity and that was the only offer that we both had the same offer as and we decided to go to the University at Buffalo,” Jaret said. “It also started with our high school coach, Justin Winters, he played back in ‘08 when they won a MAC Championship here and he really started to introduce us to Buffalo. I think my sophomore year of high school, Khalil Mack was in the draft and he brought Khalil Mack to our high school and we met Khalil Mack. That’s when I just fell in love with Buffalo.”
The opportunity at Buffalo has paid off for Jaret. Since arriving at the school, the Glendale, MD native has posted over 2,800 rushing yards in his two full seasons with the Bulls.
As a true freshman, Patterson topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark before a breakout sophomore campaign saw the star running back rack up nearly 1,800 yards on the ground.
Patterson has gone on to challenge many of the program’s rushing records, including his first game of the 2020 season, rushing for his 35th career touchdown. That score would break the school’s all-time record for rushing touchdowns. Last season, Patterson broke the Bulls’ single-game rushing record and the program’s single-season rushing record.
With buzz growing around Patterson after his week one performance, the Bulls’ junior back may no longer be considered a “sleeper” for the upcoming NFL Draft.
