Zaquan Patterson named one of best pure football players in 2024 class
In a roundtable discussion during "Rivals Rankings Week: Breaking down the 2024 DBs" Miami 2024 safety signee Zaquan Patterson was named one of the best pure football players in the 2024 class by Rivals national recruiting analyst John Garcia. Patterson was also named as the best-fitting defensive back by Garcia.
Patterson is the 36th-ranked prospect, eighth prospect in Florida and third safety in the 2024 class by Rivals. Miami signed four safeties in the 2024 class including Patterson. Dylan Day, Ryan Mack and Isaiah Thomas are the other three safeties in the 2024 Miami class. Mack will likely be a cornerback in college.
Patterson will challenge the returning safeties and transfers Mishael Powell, Savion Riley and Isaiah Taylor for first-team snaps in 2024. The additions of Powell, Riley and Thomas provide Patterson the time to get acclimated to college and earn his snaps in 2024.
Patterson had 194 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 12 interceptions, 16 passes defended, seven blocked punts and two blocked field goals in his final three seasons of high school per Max Preps. Patterson is the fifth-highest-ranked 2024 Miami signee and third on defense per the Rivals rankings.
"We'll pivot to an unconventional body type in the secondary in (Zaquan) Patterson. Miami has long made due (sic) with outside-the-box safety prospects, including All-American Kam Kinchens from the 2023 roster, and Patterson could be next in that exact mold.
- John Garcia, Rivals.Com
The U loves an instinctive, smart and physical leader in the secondary, and the versatile local standout is just that. In one game, we saw Patterson block a punt, make an interception and strip-sack the quarterback on a blitz. He can line up over tight ends, slots or cover running backs while big and physical enough to work as a sub defender in the box on passing downs.
Patterson is among the best pure football players in the class and it would be a surprise if it took long for him to splash in the ACC."
Patterson has a chance to make an impact as a freshman. His instincts and history of blocked kicks should at least make Patterson at least a special teams standout. The departures of Kinchens and Williams provide many opportunities on the Miami roster. Miami has built depth at safety on the 2024 roster with freshmen and transfers.
Next. Miami Early NSD tracker. Miami Early NSD tracker. dark
At 6'1 and 195 pounds, Patterson will likely need to add mass to his frame in college. The Focus on the 2024 Miami class has been on the defensive line. Patterson leads a group of safeties that will provide Miami with depth in the secondary for the next few seasons.