Diamond Talk: Aaron Patrick, DE, Eastern Kentucky University | Former Kicker sacking everyone in the OVC
I am a huge fan of special teams as I was a kicker in high school, and that is about the only thing myself and Aaron Patrick have in common. Yes, you are reading that correct, one of the best pass rushers in the country was a kicker in high school. Not just a kicker, but still that takes some skills.
Aaron Patrick a 6’4 pass rushing specialist for Eastern Kentucky was not always a defensive weapon. As a high schooler in Dayton, Ohio, Patrick was a wide receiver, tight end and kicker at Meadowdale High School. He was a team MVP, a team Captain and get this he was First team All-State. Patrick would transition to Defensive End at EKU, and he would end up becoming a dominating player.
As a true freshman, Patrick played in 11 games, and played mostly on the defensive line and on special teams. He finished the season with 12 tackles, one sack and a pass break up.
His sophomore year was when he had a coming out party. He was a first team All-OVC player who played in 11 games at defensive end, and finished the year fifth in tackles with 53, and led the team with 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He had quarterbacks running for their lives as a Sophomore and that continued into his junior year after taking a year off.
Patrick had to redshirt in 2017 after suffering an injury. He only played in three games totaling 9 tackles, three tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He would return last year and boy did he come back in full force.
Patrick was named first team All-OVC again after racking up 53 tackles , 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 15 QB hurries. This is his final year and I feel bad for the quarterback and offensive lineman in the OVC.
Aaron Patrick is a 6040, 245 pound edge rusher that can technically say you were sacked by a former kicker. I love that, and now I am jealous. I could have been sacking people. Keep an eye on Patrick because he is a special player.
His
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com