Analysis: Miami commit Zaquan Patterson adds length, playmaking to Hurricanes' secondary

The importance of Miami landing Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna 2024 four-star safety Zaquan Patterson, the No. 80 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking and No. 3 safety in the class, was paramount after the Hurricanes did not land a safety in last year’s class and given the team’s potential lack of depth following the 2023 season.

But after the 6-foot-0.5, 185-pound safety chose the Hurricanes over Florida State, Michigan, Auburn and Ohio State Saturday, Miami’s staff can take a deep exhale.

Patterson’s commitment gives the Hurricanes much-needed safety depth in the class as Miami adds a long, rangy, athletic safety with tremendous instinct and ball skills. The four-star defensive back has already taken tremendous steps forward throughout his high school career and added additional speed and strength this offseason.

Patterson is a tremendous open-field tackler seldom outwitted by opponents in space with a proven ability to move off blocks and consistently make plays while simultaneously covering large swaths of field.

He’s physical enough and hungry enough for contact to be used in run defense as well, although he’s often at his best in cover two and cover three pass coverages. But Chaminade-Madonna has occasionally dropped him into the box as well, where he’s been equally effective thanks to his understanding of run defense assignments, gap control and his outside run fits as a safety.

Patterson’s talent on special teams suggests he may have opportunities for playing time at Miami sooner rather than later, although he likely won’t be used as a punt or kick returner. He blocked multiple punts during his junior season and blocked a point after attempt in Chaminade’s season opener against St. Frances Saturday afternoon just after delivering a massive hit on a punt returner earlier in the game.

Patterson’s biggest value isn’t as a hard-hitting defensive back, but he’s more than capable of delivering a blow when needed, which only adds to his value on special teams. He has also steadily improved his ability to fight through blocking receivers on screen passes and is more than talented enough to peel off from his zone coverage and make a game-changing play across the field if needed.

Patterson still needs work and development when he’s forced to play one-on-one against speedy slot receivers, but he’s much more refined than many 2024 safety prospects and we expect his game to grow and improve as his career goes on. The potential for playing time as a Miami freshman was a partial reason for his interest in the Hurricanes, and game snaps early in his career should benefit him tremendously.