Notre Dame offensive lineman makes big decision on future
Notre Dame offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson announced on Sunday that he wants to return to South Bend for another year. Although the junior from California is a top-10 center prospect, according to Mel Kiper, Patterson is opting to delay his NFL draft future.
“I cannot explain how grateful I am for the past three and a half years at this university and what it has done for me on and off the field,” Patterson said. “So let’s do it one more time.”
The offensive lineman’s declaration is a huge win for first-year head coach Marcus Freeman. Freeman takes over for long-time head coach Brian Kelly, who is now at LSU.
Patterson began starting for the Irish at center in 2019. He earned several Rimington Trophy nominations, as well as a spot on Phil Steele’s All-Independent first-team.
Coming out of Mission Viejo High School, Patterson was a four-star prospect. He chose Notre Dame over UCLA and Michigan, among others.
Notre Dame sack leader Isaiah Foskey makes decision
The good news kept coming for Marcus Freeman and The Fighting Irish this weekend.
Defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey is returning to Notre Dame next year, he announced Saturday.
“The Bible says…In Proverbs 18:16: ‘God’s gift will make room for you and bring you before great men!” Foskey wrote in a message on Twitter. “Let’s end this off right! FTB all the way! My time has not come just yet…. Notre Dame… I’m coming back! I’m here to stay!!!”
Foskey led Notre Dame with 10.0 sacks this season. He could’ve easily entered the NFL Draft and came in at No. 98 on Pro Football Focus’ Big Board on Dec. 27.
The twin duo of Jayson and Justin Ademilola also announced they’re coming back next year. That means the Fighting Irish will return their top three sack leaders.
Moreover, Notre Dame got another massive victory on defense when it landed Northwestern transfer Brandon Joseph on Saturday. The Marcus Freeman era is off to quite a start in South Bend.
On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.