The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a roster full of players, and we want to talk about them all. One Foot Down’s player profile series will take a look at every single one of them, and hopefully we all learn a little bit more about these guys, and Notre Dame’s chances for the upcoming 2020 season.

#55 Jarrett Patterson, C

Jarrett Patterson is a rising junior from Laguna Hills, California. Coming out of Mission Viejo High School in the class of 2018, the four-star prospect committed to Notre Dame on National Signing Day. He immediately won the hearts of Irish fans that day by spurning the Michigan Wolverines, as well as the Arizona State Sun Devils. He was the #369 overall player, #25 offensive tackle and #45 Californian in the class of 2018.

Although Patterson was recruited as an offensive tackle, Notre Dame’s coaching staff recognized that his athleticism and size at 6’5”, 300 pounds allowed for some versatility. After a redshirt year in 2018, Patterson became a contender for the center spot vacated by Sam Mustipher and won the job. He beat out experienced players in Trevor Ruhland and Josh Lugg as well as true freshman Zeke Correll, who was recruited specifically for the position.

Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It was a surprising development for a guy most beat writers had pegged as a tackle right up until that spring, but Patterson immediately impressed in his new role. His tackle background helped him become an effective pass blocker, with the seventh-lowest pressure rate among returning centers in 2020, while his lateral agility and athleticism helped him move efficiently in the middle of the field.

Spirit Animal

Talan Torriero from Laguna Beach

Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

I never understood the appeal of Laguna Beach even when I was part of its target demographic, but the massive popularity of this show and its trashy opulence-porn spawn (The Hills, etc.) during my adolescence meant I acquired a passing, though unwilling familiarity with it. Once I realized Patterson was from Laguna, I knew I had to choose one of the show’s characters for this category. I had no recollection whatsoever of who the characters were or what they did with their lives after the show came to its merciful end, so this required some research.

In investigating the life and times of these inexplicably famous beach bums, I learned that Mr. Torriero here was quite the ladies man, able to juggle a couple relationships at a time - a versatile player capable of succeeding at multiple positions, if you will. What’s more, he has apparently managed to make something of himself beyond the purposeless existential void of the reality-TV universe in which he was once encumbered, occupying a high-level marketing position at YouTube. So we’ve got a versatile guy who’s made a surprising and unexpected rise: that’s Jarrett Patterson. Sorry, Jarrett.

UPDATE: Ever since I started “researching” this show, I have felt my brain slowly begin to shrink and deteriorate. Cognitive functions slowing, head feeling light, losing ability to type. Going to call a neurologist before lkajdflpjokp....,,,......,,.

2020 Outlook

Patterson played well enough in 2019 to retain his starting role at center. There is room for improvement in Patterson’s run blocking game, as he was not as much of a natural there as he was in the passing game. He may also have to hold off a challenge from Correll, rumored to be one of the hardest chargers in practice.

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

As long as Patterson continues to show improvements in run blocking, hitting low and gaining leverage, his length and athleticism will continue to distinguish him and the job is his to lose. I’m excited to see him grow into this role and continue Notre Dame’s tradition of longevity and reliability at the center spot.