Surprising most impactful 2024 Miami football signee named by national writer
Four-star safety Zaquan Patterson was named by Grant Hughes of 247Sports in his article "National Signing Day 2024: Every ACC football team's most impactful recruit." Patterson is the third-highest-ranked 2024 Miami signee. Miami signed the third-highest-ranked 2024 class nationally and the best in the ACC.
Miami starting safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams entered the NFL Draft with a year of eligibility remaining. Patterson will have a chance to compete with transfers Mishael Powell and Savion Riley to be the starting safeties in 2024. Patterson is an early enrollee and has an opportunity to make an immediate impact this spring.
Defensive tackles Armondo Blount and Justin Scott are the two 2024 Miami signees ranked ahead of Patterson. Miami added DT C.J. Clark as a transfer from North Carolina State and returns Jared Harrison-Hunte as the projected starters on the interior of the defensive line in 2024.
Hughes states Patterson's versatility as the reason that he can be the most impactful recruit for Miami in 2024. Patterson finished his high school career with 194 tackles, five sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 12 interceptions, and 16 pass breakups on defense per Max Preps.
Mario Cristobal talks ZaQuan Patterson with @JoeRoseShow pic.twitter.com/hqUMhcxiAa
— CanesInSight (@CanesInSight) December 21, 2023
Patterson had three kickoff returns for 41 yards, punted twice for an average of 34.5 yards, blocked seven punts and two field goals in high school career. On offense, Patterson had three receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore in 2021.
The On3 scouting report called Patterson a Swiss Army Knife. Powell and Riley transferring to Miami will allow Patterson time to develop. Miami also added Arizona transfer Isaiah Taylor and returns Jaden Harris and Markeith Williams at safety as projected on the depth chart. Patterson should eventually be the third safety on the depth chart.
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Patterson is destined to be one of a handful of Miami freshmen who will make an impact in 2024. Scott and one of the three freshmen wide receivers, Ny Carr, Chance Robinson, or Joshisa Trader, should be in the rotation for Miami in 2024. Mario Cristobal has been willing to play Freshmen in his two years at Miami.