3-star RB Jason Patterson's official visit to Kentucky "exceeded" expectations

Three-star running back Jason Patterson wrapped up his official visit to Kentucky on Friday morning. The Sneads (FL) High product arrived in Lexington on Wednesday and was one of the only midweek official visitors on campus, so he received full attention from the Wildcats’ coaching staff. As he headed to Cincinnati for an official visit with the Bearcats that begins on Friday afternoon, he spoke with KSR to provide some details about how his time at UK went.

By Patterson’s own account, his trip to Kentucky was everything he had hoped for and more.

“They exceeded them (my expectations). Just seeing the place and seeing who they are. (The coaches) are the same, they’ll never change,” Patterson told KSR. “From my player host (senior RB JuTahn McClain), to the coaching staff, to everything about it. I loved everything about it.”

BBN fans, go in the comments and flood them! I want to see where the love is at🫶🏿 @UKFootball @UKStoopsTroops @SECNetwork @UKAthletics @UKCoachStoops pic.twitter.com/u3R1e8oA0I

— Jason Patterson (@JPatterson_5) June 15, 2023

During his midweek stop, Patterson, who is considered the No. 521 overall prospect from the 2024 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking, was able to meet and talk with several UK coaches, most notably new running backs coach Jay Boulware. The rising senior was also able to chop it up with head coach Mark Stoops, offensive coordinator Liam Coen, and defensive line coach Anwar Stewart. Patterson says that the staff told him he is the “number one guy” they’re currently recruiting at running back.

“I like how the program is changing,” Patterson said. “Kentucky is, you know, about basketball but now that’s changed. Football is getting bigger. It’s the biggest right now. And Coach Coen coming back, I know the offense will succeed this year. I know they struggled last year but Coach Coen coming back, Coach Boulware the new running backs coach, I feel like they can be the next up.”

This was the second time that Patterson has been in Lexington. He previously visited back in the fall to attend Kentucky’s 27-17 victory over Mississippi State on Oct. 15. His communication with the staff has remained constant ever since and led to him setting up an OV.

“I’m very interested in them and I could see myself playing there so I had to make them a priority,” Patterson said about UK before adding that the Wildcats are “in my top two”.

So far this month, Patterson has already taken official visits to Rutgers (June 2) and Boston College (June 9). With his trip to Kentucky now in the books and a visit to Cincinnati taking place throughout the weekend, he has just one more OV to Vanderbilt (June 23) before he looks to make a decision, which could come sometime in July.

All of these schools made his top five from a few days ago, but Cincinnati and Boston College appear to be Kentucky’s biggest competition at this stage.

During his junior season at Sneads, Patterson, who clocks in at 6-foot, 205 pounds, registered over 2,700 rushing yards (which led the state of Florida) and 35 touchdowns on 206 carries for 13.1 yards per rush.