Eric Patterson - Career Ball State Statistics
Games - 41
Tackles - 189
Tackles for loss - 9
Interceptions - 6
Interception yards - 133
Kick returns - 23
Kick return yardage - 590
Career Accolades
2012 All-MAC Third Team (Defensive Back)
2014 All-MAC Third Team (Defensive Back)
2014 All-Mid-American Conference First Team (Kick Returner)
Eric Patterson joined the Ball State football program in 2011, with fellow freshmen Jahwan Edwards and Willie Snead.
Snead left for the NFL after his junior season and signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints. Edwards and Patterson went undrafted in this year’s draft, but Edwards signed a deal on May 3 with the San Diego Chargers.
Patterson became the final member of the group to make his dream a reality, signing a contract with the defending Super Bowl champions New England Patriots on May 8.
“Me, Quake [Edwards] and Willie [Snead], we came in together,” Patterson said. “And that was just our bond … best friends. We talk mostly every day.”
Patterson played in seven games as a freshman for the Cardinals. He earned his first letter, but totaled just 16 tackles for a 6-6 team.
The trio’s talent was on display over the next two seasons, as Ball State won 19 games and made two bowl appearances. Patterson made his impact known as a big-play defensive back, with three interceptions and 87 tackles over his sophomore and junior seasons.
Ball State isn’t a school in the national conversation every season, but Patterson said the film produced from his work on the field was enough to show his ability.
“It doesn’t matter where you go,” Patterson said. “If you’re good enough they’re going to find you.”
Despite an injury that limited Patterson to nine games his senior season, he was named to the All-Mid-American Conference First Team as a kick returner and the All-MAC Third Team as a defensive back.
He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the team’s Pro Day. Snead said Patterson’s speed was one of his best qualities, and he was “one of the fastest guys coming in” when they were freshmen.
Patterson said it could’ve gone better, but he thought he had done enough to get a chance.
Patterson got his first tryout with the Cleveland Browns. His hometown team came calling next, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offered him a tryout as well.
He expected the Buccaneers to offer him a deal.
“In my tryout with the [Buccaneers], it’s my hometown team, so I would expect that they would know me and want to give me a contract," Patterson said. "But when they didn’t give me a contract, it hurt. But it fuels the fire and I’m just thankful the Patriots were able to offer me one.”
Patterson took part in the Patriots’ mini-camp last week.
More than anything, he wants to learn to be more of a man from coach Bill Belichick and his staff.
“My biggest goals are to become more of a team player, learn everything I need to learn from the vets and work hard everyday,” Patterson said.
Patterson enters a New England secondary that has lost veterans Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Kyle Arrington this offseason. That cast of players helped New England finish 10th in the NFL in opposing quarterback rating in 2014, according to ESPN.com.
But Patterson is looking to make some noise in another area of the game first.
Making plays on special teams is often how a player starts his career. Patterson’s first season as a kick returner in 2014 produced a 25.7 yards per return average.
“That’s how you get your foot in the door - with special teams - and I’m going to go hard,” Patterson said. “I love playing special teams.”
Patterson is also looking to use special teams to create some longevity for himself in the NFL.
Snead said Patterson will have a better chance of making the opening roster with his special teams play. He thinks Patterson will be a good corner in the league once he gets his feet wet and starts understanding the NFL game.
He’ll have a chance to show Patterson a few things when the Saints and Patriots join for some preseason practices.
“We always got on each other whenever we were at Ball State, going against each other and what it would be like to play each other in a game,” Snead said. “I know he’s looking forward to it, too.”
Patterson said he’s excited to be part of an organization that has four Super Bowl Titles since 2001.
He’s looking forward to lining up against his friends and former teammates Jahwan Edwards and Willie Snead across the field.
“It’s awesome actually, we talked about this since we were freshmen coming into Ball State,” Snead said. “Talking about getting on NFL teams, and making it happen and making our dreams come true.”
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