| Name | College Attended | Degree(s) Earned | Field of Study/Major | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cordarrelle Patterson | Hutchinson Community College (2010-2011) Tennessee (2012) | Associate of Arts (HCC) None (Tennessee) | General Studies (HCC) Communication Studies (Tennessee) | 2011 (HCC) N/A (Tennessee) |
Educational Journey:
Cordarrelle Patterson attended two different colleges before entering the NFL draft in 2013. He first enrolled at Hutchinson Community College (HCC) in Hutchinson, Kansas, where he played junior college football for two seasons. He was recognized as a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American in both 2010 and 2011 and set several school records for receiving yards, touchdowns, and all-purpose yards. He earned an associate of arts degree in general studies from HCC in 2011.
After graduating from HCC, Patterson transferred to the University of Tennessee, where he played for the Tennessee Volunteers football team in 2012. He was a standout player for the Volunteers, as he led the team in receiving yards, rushing yards, and total touchdowns. He also set a new Southeastern Conference (SEC) record for most all-purpose yards in a single season with 1,858. He was named a First-team All-SEC selection by the coaches and the media, and was also a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football. He majored in communication studies at Tennessee but did not complete his degree as he declared for the NFL draft after his junior year.
Some of his notable achievements, awards, or milestones during his college years include:
- Breaking the HCC single-season record for receiving yards (924), touchdowns (15), and all-purpose yards (1,650) in 2010.
- Leading the NJCAA in kickoff return average (41.9 yards) and scoring 36 total touchdowns in two seasons at HCC.
- Becoming the first player in Tennessee history to score a touchdown four different ways: receiving, rushing, punt return, and kickoff return.
- Becoming the first SEC player to record at least 100 yards in four different categories: receiving, rushing, punt return, and kickoff return.
- Being ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver prospect by ESPN and NFL.com entering the 2013 NFL draft.
Some of his influential professors or mentors he had include:
- Rion Rhodes, his head coach at HCC, helped him develop his skills and confidence as a receiver and a returner.
- Derek Dooley, his head coach at Tennessee, praised him for his work ethic and attitude despite the team’s losing season.
- Charlie Baggett, his wide receivers coach at Tennessee, taught him how to run better routes and improve his hands.
Some of his extracurricular activities, societies, and clubs he participated in include:
- Volunteering at local elementary schools and hospitals as part of Tennessee’s community outreach program.
- Participating in a fashion show fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital along with other Tennessee athletes.
Early Life and Background:
Cordarrelle Patterson was born on March 17, 1991, in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He grew up in a low-income neighborhood with his mother Catherine Patterson and his three siblings. His father was not involved in his life. He attended Northwestern High School, where he played football, and basketball, and ran track. He was a star receiver for the football team, catching 75 passes for 944 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior. He led his team to the state championship game but lost to Byrnes High School. He was named an All-state selection and received several scholarship offers from major colleges.
However, Patterson did not qualify academically to enroll in a Division I college, so he had to attend a prep school called North Carolina Tech Preparatory Christian Academy in 2009. He did not play football there and left after a few months to enroll at HCC. He credits his mother for motivating him to pursue his education and his football career, despite the challenges he faced. He also cites his older brother Charles as a role model and a mentor, who played football at South Carolina State University and encouraged him to follow his dreams.
Post-College Journey:
Cordarrelle Patterson’s college education influenced and shaped his career in many ways. He learned how to overcome adversity and improve his skills as a football player. He also gained exposure and recognition from scouts and coaches who saw his potential and talent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, with the 29th overall pick. He signed a four-year contract worth $7.22 million, with $5.23 million guaranteed.
He made an immediate impact as a rookie, setting the NFL record for the longest play possible with a 109-yard kickoff return touchdown against the Green Bay Packers. He also led the league in kickoff return average (32.4 yards) and was named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team as a return specialist. He also showed promise as a receiver, catching 45 passes for 469 yards and four touchdowns.
He continued to excel as a returner in his second season, leading the league in kickoff return touchdowns (2) and ranking second in kickoff return average (25.6 yards). However, he struggled as a receiver, catching only 33 passes for 384 yards and one touchdown. He also had some issues with his coaches and teammates, who questioned his work ethic and attitude.
He bounced back in his third season, improving his receiving numbers to 52 catches for 453 yards and two touchdowns. He also remained a threat as a returner, averaging 31.8 yards per kickoff return and scoring two touchdowns. He earned his second Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors as a return specialist.
He had a similar season in his fourth and final year with the Vikings, catching 52 passes for 453 yards and two touchdowns, and averaging 31.7 yards per kickoff return with one touchdown. He made his third Pro Bowl and All-Pro team as a return specialist.
He became a free agent after the 2016 season and signed a two-year contract worth $8.5 million with the Oakland Raiders. He played mostly as a receiver for the Raiders, catching 31 passes for 309 yards in 2017 and 19 passes for 162 yards in 2018. He also contributed as a rusher, carrying the ball 13 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns in 2017 and seven times for 54 yards in 2018. He also returned kickoffs, averaging 28.3 yards per return in 2017 and 28.8 yards per return in 2018.
He was traded to the New England Patriots in March 2018, along with a sixth-round draft pick, in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. He played a versatile role for the Patriots, lining up as a receiver, running back, returner, and even on defense. He caught 21 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 228 yards and one touchdown on 42 carries, returned kickoffs for an average of 28.8 yards per return, and recorded one tackle on defense. He helped the Patriots win Super Bowl LIII over the Los Angeles Rams, becoming the first player in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with both Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
He became a free agent again after the 2018 season and signed a two-year contract worth $10 million with the Chicago Bears. He played primarily as a returner for the Bears, leading the league in kickoff return average (29.5 yards) and kickoff return touchdowns (1) in both 2019 and 2020. He also caught 11 passes for 83 yards in 2019 and caught four passes for eight yards in 2020. He made his fourth Pro Bowl and All-Pro team as a return specialist in both seasons.
He signed a one-year contract worth $3 million with the Atlanta Falcons in April of this year. He has been playing mostly as a running back for the Falcons, leading the team in rushing yards (695) and rushing touchdowns (8). He has also caught 21 passes for 122 yards as a receiver. He has been one of the most productive players on offense for the Falcons this season.
Some of his immediate jobs or projects post-graduation include:
- Participating in the NFL Scouting Combine, where he showcased his athleticism and speed, running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds, the third-fastest among wide receivers.
- Signing endorsement deals with Nike, Pepsi, and EA Sports, among others.
Some of the connections he made in college that affected his later life or work include:
- Developing a friendship with fellow Tennessee receiver Justin Hunter, who was also drafted in the 2013 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. They have remained close and supportive of each other throughout their careers.
- He met his girlfriend, Breanna Stewart, who was a basketball player at Tennessee. They have been dating since 2012 and have a daughter named Kylah, who was born in 2017.
Impact and Significance:
Cordarrelle Patterson’s educational background is perceived in different ways in his field. Some people admire him for his perseverance and determination to overcome his academic challenges and pursue his football dreams. Others criticize him for not completing his degree and for not developing his full potential as a receiver. He has also faced some stereotypes and prejudices as a junior college transfer and as a black athlete.
However, he has also proven himself to be one of the most dynamic and versatile players in the NFL, with a rare combination of size, speed, agility, and vision. He has been a valuable asset for every team he has played for, contributing in multiple ways and creating mismatches for opposing defenses. He has also been a fan favorite and a positive influence in the locker room and the community.
Some of the comments or reflections he has made about his college years include:
- “I’m proud of where I came from. I’m proud of what I’ve done. I’m proud of what I’m doing now. I don’t regret anything. I learned from everything.”
- “I think going to junior college helped me a lot. It made me grow up fast. It made me appreciate everything more. It made me work harder.”
- “I loved my time at Tennessee. It was one of the best years of my life. I met some great people there. I had some great coaches there. I had some great teammates there. I had some great fans there.”
Interesting Anecdotes or Trivia:
Some of the unique or less-known stories from his college years include:
- He wore jersey number 84 at both HCC and Tennessee, in honor of his idol Randy Moss, who also played as a receiver and a returner in the NFL.
- He once scored four touchdowns in four different ways (receiving, rushing, punt return, kickoff return) in a single game against Troy in 2012, becoming the first player in SEC history to do so.
- He once threw a touchdown pass to quarterback Tyler Bray on a trick play against Missouri in 2012, showing off his arm strength and accuracy.
Relevance to Today’s Students:
There are many lessons or takeaways for students aiming for similar fields as Cordarrelle Patterson. Some of them are:
- Don’t let your academic struggles or failures define you or stop you from pursuing your goals. Seek help when you need it and work hard to improve your skills and knowledge.
- Don’t be afraid to try new things or challenge yourself. Explore different opportunities and interests and find your passion and purpose.
- Don’t limit yourself to one role or position. Be versatile and adaptable and learn how to do different things well.
- Don’t let others’ opinions or expectations affect your self-confidence or self-worth. Believe in yourself and your abilities and prove them wrong with your actions.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned more about Cordarrelle Patterson’s college journey and how it influenced his career as an NFL player. We have seen how he overcame his academic challenges and transferred from a junior college to a Division I college, where he excelled as a football player. We have also seen how he used his college education to improve his skills and gain recognition from scouts and coaches, who drafted him in the first round of the NFL draft. We have also seen how he has been one of the most versatile and dynamic players in the NFL, playing multiple roles and positions for different teams. We have also seen how he has reflected on his college years and shared some interesting stories and trivia from them.
We hope that this article has inspired you to pursue your own college education goals and to learn more about Cordarrelle Patterson’s life and career. He is an example of someone who did not let his circumstances or limitations stop him from achieving his dreams and making an impact in his field.