Patrick chases history as little brother watches
Jacques Patrick wasn't always a five-star recruit chasing historic state records. He was once just a ninth grader who was told he had talent others coveted.
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But Patrick just kept living up to the hype. When he was only a freshman in high school it was evident the talent he was told about was no hype. He was the real deal. The Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek running back started receiving attention almost immediately.
His first offer came to him in the ninth grade from Florida State.
"I was only 14 years old and it was crazy for me," said Patrick, who now stands at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds. "I didn't know what a scholarship offer was. I had to research what it was. That's how crazy it was for me at first."
Now Patrick is a senior. There's not a major college program who doesn't know who he is. Patrick is now closing in on Sunshine State history, eclipsing the 6,000-yard career mark just three games into his senior season.
He's now in elite company, becoming just the sixth running back in Florida high school history to surpass the 6,000-yard mark and now looks up to Marquette Smith (6,733 yards), Willie McClendon (6,912), Willie Green (7,947), Emmitt Smith (8,804) and Derrick Henry (12,124).
While the state record is comfortably out of reach - just don't tell Patrick that - Patrick is shooting to surpass Smith.
"Hopefully, I can eclipse his record and he could be there to congratulate me," Patrick said of Smith. "That would be pretty cool."
High school records stand the test of time, and legends are created from high school football greats, but Patrick wants more.
"My mentality is that God has blessed me with great gifts," Patrick said. "But I'm going to strive for even better things. There's always room for improvement. And there's always light at the end of the tunnel."
For Patrick, the light at the end of the tunnel is hearing his name called at the NFL draft. He's aware that the odds are against any high school prospect.
"I haven't done anything yet," Patrick said. "I'm trying to get to the NFL, so, you know, I haven't even got to college yet. I just know to stay humble, work hard and thank God every day."
Patrick's mindset is one to admire. And there are some who look up to him, including his little brother, Peter Hayes-Patrick. The eighth-grade Hayes is only 5-foot-9, 175 pounds and plays running back and quarterback at the sub-varsity level.
Hayes has already one-upped his brother, receiving his first major offer a full school year before Patrick did. Hayes holds offers from Florida State and Ohio State.
"He found out through me," Patrick said of Hayes learning of his Ohio State and Florida State offers. "I was talking to the coaches and they told me (Hayes) had an offer."
Patrick was asked if Florida State and Ohio State were offering Hayes just as an attempt to sway Patrick.
"I don't think so," Patrick said. "We're more than four years apart, so I'll be out of college by the time he gets to college."
Whatever the case, it's known that wherever Patrick lands in college, it's expected for him to produce at a high level.
As for Hayes, he's got some work to do if he wants to be like big brother.
"I'm faster than him," Patrick laughs.
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