Arkansas OL transfer Paris Patterson commits to SMU
Former Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman Paris Patterson committed to play for the SMU Mustangs, he announced on Twitter on Sunday.
He spent just one season in Fayetteville but redshirted and will have four years of eligibility remaining. Patterson is one of three former Razorbacks off the 2023 team for Sam Pittman expected to end up at SMU.
Patterson will join former Arkansas defensive tackle Tank Booker, who was at SMU this spring, and likely offensive tackle Andrew Chamblee, who officially visited the Hilltop this weekend as well.
As a recruit, Patterson was a three-star prospect out of East Saint Louis at East Saint Louis High School. He ranked as the No. 582 overall player and No. 55 inside offensive lineman in the 2023 cycle with a rating of 87.9, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee identified the need for more offensive linemen after the spring game. By adding two more offensive linemen from the spring transfer window, the Mustangs filled a big need.
“I think that’s what we were able to evaluate in spring. We feel really good that, when we’re all healthy, our starting O-line’s going to be a really good unit,” Lashlee said. “But we do need some depth there. We’ve got some depth at the tight end position coming, which was needed. So I think on offense, you look at that, that’s probably the main areas. When you go to the defensive side of the ball, I think we’ve done a nice job in the box. We’ve got some experienced guys at safeties, but we could add a depth piece there. Again, we’ve got guys a corner who can run, but we’re going to need depth there because we’re an injury or two away from being really thin.”
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.
The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
