The Tar Heels 2024 recruiting class might not be the most star-studded at this point, but it is full of some high-upside guys that this staff can develop. On Saturday, another prospect who fits that moniker committed to the class out of the state of Georgia.
Via his social media, 2024 ATH Jaiden Patterson announced that he has committed to the Tar Heels over Wake Forest, Duke and Vanderbilt. The Tar Heels offered him back on March 8th while he was on an unofficial visit with his teammates from Mill Creek High School in Georgia.
Patterson is setting up for his final season at Mill Creek in Hoschton, GA. As a junior for the GHSA-7A state champions this past season, he finished with 55 total tackles, 13 pass deflections and three fumble recoveries. He was also a major contributor on special teams, returning two of his six kick return attempts for touchdowns and blocking four field goals.
Patterson is a versatile addition to this class in the defensive backfield. He thrived in the snaps that he took at safety, outside corner and nickelback and could have an effect at any of those spots at the college level. His tremendous speed not only shows up on special teams but in 1-on-1 coverage where he stays right in the pocket of receivers. That speed also shows up when he is closing on the ball in the open field and he combines that with some strong tackling ability. The Tar Heels will have to figure out the position that he fits best at and he will have to add to his frame, but this is a promising addition that can contribute in multiple ways right out of the gate for special teams.
With his commitment, the Tar Heels now have eleven commitments in the class, four of which come from the Peach State. He joins his teammate Aidan Banfield as players that are committed to the Tar Heels from Mill Creek. The class does not move in the rankings because Patterson is not ranked, but still remains inside the top 15 according to 247Sports.