Jaret Patterson (born December 23, 1998) is an American professional football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Buffalo before signing with the Washington Commanders, then known as the Washington Football Team, as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Alongside Howard Griffith, Patterson holds the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision record for most rushing touchdowns in a single game with eight.

Jaret Patterson
refer to caption
Patterson with the Washington Football Team in 2021
No. 34 – Los Angeles Chargers
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1998-12-23) December 23, 1998 (age 25)
Glenn Dale, Maryland, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:St. Vincent Pallotti (Laurel, Maryland)
College:Buffalo (2018–2020)
Undrafted:2021
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
NCAA records
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Rushing yards:344
Rushing average:4.0
Rushing touchdowns:2
Receptions:10
Receiving yards:73
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early years

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Patterson attended St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel, Maryland, where he played football with future NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Washington Commanders teammate Chase Young.[1] Patterson rushed for 2,045 yards and 23 touchdowns in his senior season. In a game against Riverdale Baptist he accounted for 558 all-purpose yards. Patterson was named an All-State Honorable Mention.[2] He committed to the University at Buffalo to play college football in the Mid-American Conference. Patterson was not as heavily recruited out of high school compared to his twin brother James and the two were recruited to Buffalo as a package deal.[3]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Jaret Patterson
RB
Laurel, Maryland St. Vincent Pallotti 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Feb 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN:    ESPN grade: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: N/A  247Sports: 3158[4]  ESPN: N/A
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Jaret Patterson, 2017". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.

College career

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Patterson and his brother grayshirted in the fall of 2017 and joined the team full-time for spring practice in 2018.[5] In his freshman season in 2018, Patterson rushed for 1,013 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year and named to the All-MAC Second-team. He returned as Buffalo's starting running back in 2019 and had the best season by a running back in school history by rushing for a single-season school record 1,799 yards and scoring 19 rushing touchdowns, also a school record. He led the MAC and ranked fifth in the nation in rushing yards on his way to being named to the All-MAC First-team.[6] In the 2019 Bahamas Bowl, Patterson rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns in a Buffalo win, their first bowl win in program history, and received the game's offensive MVP award.[7]

On November 28, 2020, Patterson tied Howard Griffith's FBS single-game record with eight rushing touchdowns against the Kent State Golden Flashes in a 70–41 win. Patterson finished the game with 36 carries for 409 yards, 18 yards short of the single-game FBS record set by former Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine in 2014.[8] Patterson was forced to sit out Buffalo's appearance in the 2020 Camellia Bowl, due to knee issues.[9] Following the season, Patterson was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year and was given the Vern Smith Leadership Award as the conference's most valuable player.[10] Patterson declared for the 2021 NFL draft following his junior year.[11]

Records

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Buffalo Bulls[12]
  • Most rushing yards in a single game (409)
  • Most rushing yards in a single season (1,799)
  • Most rushing touchdowns in a single season (19)
NCAA
  • Tied for most touchdowns in a single game (8)[13]
  • Tied for most points in a single game (48)

College statistics

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Year Rushing Receiving
G Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2018 14 183 1,013 5.5 64 14 7 62 8.9 23 0
2019 13 312 1,799 5.8 82 19 13 209 16.1 61 1
2020 6 141 1,072 7.6 67 19 0 0 0.0 0 0
Career 33 636 3,884 6.1 82 52 20 271 13.6 61 1

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 6+12 in
(1.69 m)
195 lb
(88 kg)
28+34 in
(0.73 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.59 s 1.58 s 2.45 s 4.35 s 7.03 s 30.0 in
(0.76 m)
9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
19 reps
All values from Pro Day[14][15]

Washington Football Team / Commanders (first stint)

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Patterson after scoring a touchdown in 2022

Patterson signed with the Washington Football Team on May 3, 2021, after going unselected in the 2021 NFL draft.[16] Patterson performed well enough in the 2021 preseason to receive praise from head coach Ron Rivera. He was ultimately named to the team's final roster over veteran running back Peyton Barber.[17]

Prior to the first game of the regular season, Patterson was listed as the third running back on the depth chart behind Antonio Gibson and J. D. McKissic.[18] He made his pro football debut in the first week of the season with two rushes for nine yards on four offensive snaps.[19] After playing only on special teams in the following two games, he recorded his first reception in the fourth week of the season on the first target of his career. It was good for eleven yards and a first down.[19] In the eighth week of the season, he recorded season-highs with eleven rushing attempts and 46 rushing yards.[19] In the Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Patterson fumbled for the first time in his NFL career but also scored his first career touchdown on a fourth-quarter carry from the one-yard line.[19][20] Patterson would get his first career start in Week 17 against the Eagles in place of Antonio Gibson, who was on the team's COVID-19 reserve list. In the game, he recorded 57 rushing yards on 12 carries, his second career touchdown, and 41 receiving yards on five receptions.[21]

On August 30, 2022, Patterson was waived by the Commanders and signed to the practice squad the next day.[22][23] He spent the entire 2022 season on the practice squad until November 14 when he was activated for that night's game following injuries to Gibson and McKissic.[24] The majority of the carries went to Brian Robinson Jr., however, and Patterson only appeared on four plays on special teams.[25] Patterson appeared in a game on January 1 and returned kicks for the first time in his NFL career, picking up 70 yards on three opportunities.[26] He was signed to the active roster again on January 5, 2023.[27] Patterson got his first touches on offense in the final game of the season in a winning effort. Although on the bench behind Jonathan Williams, he led the team with 17 carries and 78 rushing yards,[28] both of which set career highs.[26]

On August 28, 2023, Patterson was released as part of final roster cuts before the start of 2023 season.[29]

Los Angeles Chargers (first stint)

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On September 13, 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Patterson to their practice squad.[30] He was released on December 20.

Washington Commanders (second stint)

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On December 26, 2023, Patterson signed with the practice squad of the Washington Commanders.[31] He became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired after the season.[32]

Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)

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On January 10, 2024, Patterson signed a reserve/future contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.[33] He was waived on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad.[34]

References

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  1. ^ Cadeaux, Ethan (May 3, 2021). "Jaret Patterson says Chase Young vouched for WFT to sign him". NBC Sports Washington. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  2. ^ Lenzi, Rachel (August 26, 2019). "'I'm his keeper. He's my keeper.' How twins Jaret and James Patterson came to UB football". Buffalo News (published August 25, 2019). Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  3. ^ Wawrow, John (December 1, 2020). "Buffalo's under-recruited Patterson is hard to ignore now". AP NEWS. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "Jaret Patterson, St. Vincent Pallotti, Athlete". 247Sports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  5. ^ Louis-Jacques, Marcel (May 3, 2021). "Meet the 5-foot-7 running back on a mission to play in NFL: 'Don't bet against Jaret Patterson'". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  6. ^ Demos, Khari (April 8, 2020). "Patterson, Simpson still upbeat after Bulls' short spring season". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  7. ^ Wawrow, John (December 19, 2019). "Patterson rushes Buffalo's expectations and Bahamas Bowl". AP NEWS. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Werner, Barry (November 28, 2020). "Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson erupts for record-tying 8 TDs, 409 rushing yards". Touchdown Wire. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  9. ^ @BoPeliniBurner (December 25, 2020). "Buffalo without RB Jaret Patterson today due to knee injury he received during the MAC Championship" (Tweet). Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Lenzi, Rachel (December 15, 2020). "UB's Jaret Patterson wins MAC Most Valuable Player, Lance Leipold is Coach of the Year". The Buffalo News. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  11. ^ Melo, Justin (December 30, 2020). "Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson declares for 2021 NFL draft". The Draft Wire. USA Today. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  12. ^ "Jaret Patterson". UB Bulls. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  13. ^ Kercheval, Ben (November 28, 2020). "Buffalo's Jaret Patterson makes history, ties FBS single-game touchdown record with second-most yards all-time". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  14. ^ "Jaret Patterson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  15. ^ "Jaret Patterson, Buffalo, RB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  16. ^ Alper, Josh (May 3, 2021). "Washington signs Jaret Patterson". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  17. ^ Goodbread, Chase (August 31, 2021). "Washington releases RB Peyton Barber; Jaret Patterson to back up Antonio Gibson". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  18. ^ Jennings, Scott (September 7, 2021). "Washington Football Team Updates Depth Chart before Week 1". Hogs Haven. SB Nation. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  19. ^ a b c d "Jaret Patterson 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  20. ^ "Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles – December 21st, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "Washington-Eagles Monday Stats Pack". Washington Commanders. January 3, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  22. ^ Bouda, Nate (August 30, 2022). "Commanders Cut 25 Players, Place Three On IR". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  23. ^ "Commanders announce practice squad". Commanders.com. August 31, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  24. ^ "Commanders' Jaret Patterson: Elevated for MNF". CBSSports.com. CBS Sports. RotoWire. November 14, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  25. ^ "Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles – November 14th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "Jaret Patterson Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  27. ^ Selby, Zach (January 5, 2023). "Commanders place Antonio Gibson on IR, sign Jaret Patterson from practice squad". Commanders.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  28. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders – January 8th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  29. ^ Selby, Zach (August 28, 2023). "Commanders place Braeden Daniels on IR, release 12 players". Commanders.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  30. ^ Brener, Jeremy (September 13, 2023). "Commanders Ex Jaret Patterson Signs with Chargers: NFL Tracker". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  31. ^ Manning, Bryan (December 26, 2023). "Commanders bring back a familiar face with injuries at running back". USAToday.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  32. ^ Manning, Bryan (January 9, 2024). "The Commanders make some roster moves to conclude the 2023 season". USA Today.
  33. ^ "Chargers' Jaret Patterson: Joins Chargers". CBS Sports. January 11, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  34. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Acquire Quarterback Taylor Heinicke". Chargers.com. August 29, 2024.
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