Pitt Football 2026 Commit Suffers Injury

Patterson, a 6-foot, 185-pound safety, is rated as a three-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite and Rivals. The 247Sports Composite has him ranked as the No. 61 player from Ohio and the No. 115 safety in his class. Rivals has Patterson as the No. 59 player from Ohio and the No. 126 safety in the class.

Patterson is coming off a standout junior season where he recorded 52 solo tackles (three for a loss), one interception and seven pass breakups at safety to go with 21 catches for 422 yards and five touchdowns as a wide receiver. He totaled 813 all-purpose yards, which included his work as a returner.

According to MaxPreps, Patterson has recorded eight solo tackles in three games this season.

Patterson earned several accolades in his junior year, including First Team All-District, Second Team All-Conference and Second Team All-State.

He held offers from several MAC programs like Toledo, Bowling Green, Akron, Ohio and Kent State, but ultimately chose the Panthers.

Patterson told Pitt On SI in February that what stood out the most about Pitt was its strong NFL pipeline.

"Really, it's the culture and the talent. Coach (Cory) Sanders and Coach (Archie) Collins, they do a great job," Patterson said. "They produce insane NFL talent year after year, and it'd be a great thing to be a part of. It's why I keep coming back. I've been there, I think, three times in the past, coming up on my fourth now."

Patterson is the lone safety commit in Pitt's Class of 2026 at the moment, but is the third defensive back in the group, joined by three-star corners Da'Ron Barksdale and Kentrail Mcrae Jr.