Patterson commit was important national TV show but Miami will have to sweat out visits to Michigan and Auburn this fall
The commitment of Hollywood Chaminade safety Zaquan Patterson Saturday was the kind of nationally-televised boost Miami will take as the Hurricanes work to climb up the 2024 team recruiting rankings. But Patterson told CaneSport after the announcement that he and his mom will take fall trips to Auburn and Michigan.
“Wherever she wants to go,” Patterson said. “But we are probably going to definitely stop at Auburn and Michigan.”
The good news is that means that Florida State is likely out of the ultimate competition for Patterson. Having four top schools in the mix as announcement day drew close was a lot and Patterson said he is relieved that at least for now some of the pressure will be toned down with his senior season beginning.
“I feel good,” Patterson said. “I’m happy the process is over, well not over, but everything is going to settle down after this.
“I think this is the best opportunity for me and I am looking forward to help build the program.”
Chaminade WR Joshisa Trader tried to play a big role in recruiting Patterson. He has been in Patterson’s ear about Miami daily and joked with CaneSport last week that “if I get him to Miami, call me the best recruiter.”
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“Jo Jo wanted me to play with him all along,” Patterson said after the commitment. “He’s been talking to me every day about coming to Miami. But this decision was more based on me and nobody else.”
Patterson simply said he sees an opportunity to play early and often at Miami, where the safety tandem of Kam Kinchens and James Williams is getting late in their Hurricane careers.
“I can have the biggest impact there,” Patterson said. “I have the best opportunity there. There is no place like home you know.
“I am already OK with the weather and everything like that. So there is nothing I have to worry about. I just have to go play ball.”
