COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Pay attention and you'll see Jordan Patrick tracking down the quarterback for a nine-yard loss. Or knocking down a pass attempt in the flat. Or crashing through the line to block a punt.
Pay closer attention, and what you will NOT see is Jordan Patrick loafing, or taking off a single play.
From the opening kickoff through the final horn, Patrick is in motion and going full speed.
"My motor is always running, it's going every play. I never take a play off, whether it's on defense or special teams," claims the 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior from Alcoa, Tenn.
That intensity is part of what makes Patrick a standout at the "jack" defensive end spot, and the type of player who will be among those mentioned for post-season honors.
"He is the epitome of a college football player," said assistant coach Pat Donohoe, who coaches Patrick's position. "He's making the most of everything he's been given. He's done everything we've asked of him and he's come a long way and has become a real leader on the team.
"I'm positive that whatever his next venture will be, he will be successful. He knows what it takes to succeed and he's a super individual."
Patrick has come a long way from his introduction to the team as a walk-on in 2012 to where is brings game-changing potential to every contest.
In short, Patrick is looking for a huge season in his final year for the Golden Eagles, and his performance will factor into the success of the Tech defense.
"We're (the defense) going to be very physical and consistent," he said. "We have a goal of doing everything right."
Patrick had a rough start to his collegiate career, following four seasons as a member of the championship program at Alcoa High School where he played linebacker for coach Gary Rankin. Named all-county all four seasons, he helped win the district, region and TSSAA state championship all four seasons.
When he enrolled at Tech to begin school in the fall of 2011, he learned that his high school courses left him just short of being eligible, according to NCAA standards.
His only option was to spend his first season at Tech without football, passing 24 credits to lift himself to being eligible.
He did that, and joined the Golden Eagle roster as a walk-on in 2012. He sat out that first season before seeing his first action in 2013.
Jordan saw action off the bench in the first two games of the 2013 season, and then earned a starting role for the remaining 10 games of what was considered his sophomore year.
Last season as a junior, Jordan was among the most visible, disruptive players in the Golden Eagle defense despite suffering an injury that sidelined him for a crucial stretch of games over the middle of the schedule. He played in 10 games, with starts in five contests and made 29 total tackles, including 16 unassisted tackles. He had 2.5 quarterback sacks and 5.5 tackles-for-loss for 30 yards, and topped the team with three blocked kicks.
Those skills he displays on the field are not what Patrick considers to be his greatest contribution to the team.
That, he explains, is "bringing leadership to our team."
"I try to keep the team going all the time. I try to maintain a high level of excitement and an intensity that nobody can match. I try to lead by example, and by what I do on the field, of course, but I can also be vocal if the situation calls for me to be vocal."
Donohoe recognizes that high level of leadership.
"Jordan has a lot of respect from his teammates. When he speaks, they listen," Donohoe says. "It's great to have a young man who comes in as a kid and leaves as a man."
Head coach Watson Brown also points to Patrick's growth, and how far he has come in his time at Tech.
"He's growing up and it's been fun watching him grow up," Brown said. "He had to get himself eligible, and now he's grown up, he's a senior and a productive member of the team. It's amazing to see how quickly time passes."
The injury to Patrick in the third game of the year at Tennessee State had a major effect on the defense, Brown said.
"We fell off last year when he was injured. He's the best on our team at blocking kicks, he can drop into coverage and he can put pressure on the quarterback. He's a real leader on our team, and that's something he has grown into."
Patrick injured his knee against TSU and missed the next three games almost completely. He returned for the second half against UT Martin, but played that half and the next four games at, as he says, between 60 and 70 percent. He was finally fully healthy for the final two games.
"That really bothered me," he says. "I wasn't really able to go full strength. I played with the injury, but I could tell I was a little off. I could rush, and so on, but on my first step I could feel it."
An EXPW major, Patrick would like to continue playing football after his college career is finished.
"I will have to wait and see how football goes, and whether I have the opportunity to continue playing," he says. "If not, I'd love to go back and coach at my high school (Alcoa)."
Donohoe feels Patrick will have the opportunity to continue playing.
"He has the size and the speed to play on the next level. He is working to improve his strength and if he stays healthy, he will have a chance. He makes plays and he steps up in tough situations," Donohoe said.
Patrick and the Golden Eagles will be on the field Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. for the first scrimmage of fall camp. The second scrimmage is set for Saturday, Aug. 22, with a 2 p.m. start as part of the annual Gathering of Eagles picnic and Women's Clinic.
The regular season opens on Saturday, Sept. 5, when Tech visits the University of Houston for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The first home game is Saturday, Sept. 19, against Mercer at 6 p.m. Season tickets to watch Patrick and the Golden Eagles are currently on sale at the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center, or by calling (931) 372-3940. Tickets may also be ordered online at TTUsports.com.
