2011 prospect making a name
Class of 2011 offensive center, A.C. Patterson (6-1, 285, 5.6) from Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman will be a rare three-year varsity starter this fall. He was the first freshman starter ever to start all 11 games at Denver (Colo.) Regis Jesuit. This is the same school that produced USC starting right tackle Butch Lewis.
Patterson's dad was the defensive line coach for the Denver Broncos, his freshman year and now he is the defensive line and assistant head coach for UNLV, thus the move to Las Vegas.
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No matter if it is in the Mile High city of Denver or the desert oasis of Las Vegas this true center prospect performs at a high level.
Playing center is nothing new for Patterson. He has been playing the position all of his football playing life. Even as a freshman, he was calling the blocking schemes and pass protection. Since he has been around the game all of his life, Patterson has an outstanding and advanced knowledge for the game.
The scouting report on Patterson is he's quick off the ball and extremely powerful and strong. Once he gets his hands on an opponent it is over for him. He is also very good at getting to the second level.
Bishop Gorman assistant coach, Jerry Grimble had the following to say about his talented junior to be.
"A.C. is a good football player," Grimble said. "He will be one of the top centers in Nevada this season."
Patterson was at the USC Rising Stars Camp and he talks about the event.
"I felt that it was a good experience, since I was able to go against the best players in the nation," Patterson said. "The coaches said I did well and they told me to keep improving and to working to get better for the next year.
"I'm only going to be a junior and I was able to beat some of the top seniors in the nation and that gave me a lot of confidence," Patterson said. "It was a fun overall camp and I was glad to be there."
While Patterson was in town for the Rising Stars Camp, he still found some time to check out UCLA.
"I was able to meet all of UCLA's coaches," Patterson said. "They told me I looked good and that they are going to keep an eye on me."
The two Los Angeles schools aren't the only D-I schools that have taken notice of the junior from Las Vegas.
"I have also talked to Idaho, Nevada, UNLV, Bowling green and Cal," Patterson said. "I have received letters from Texas A&M, Florida, Iowa State and Colorado.
Interesting that Colorado still remembers Patterson from his freshman season when he played in nearby Denver.
Patterson is one to keep an eye on for the class of 2011.