Tar Heels Add Speedy Defender to 2024 Recruiting Class

Originally posted on FanNation All Tar Heels
By Matt Giles | Last updated 12/20/23

Mill Creek (Ga.) safety Jaiden Patterson checked out the Duke and UNC football programs before revealing his commitment to the Tar Heels in April. Eight months later, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound four-star solidified that pledge to Mack Brown and his staff by signing his national letter of intent on Wednesday.

Patterson, who doubles as a track star and holds his school's records in the 200 and 400 meters, ranks No. 297 overall, No. 34 among safeties, and No. 33 in Georgia on the 247Sports 2024 Composite.

UNC football's social media team announced his signing with the following hype video and highlights:

And 247Sports' Don Callahan provided the following assessment of Patterson's game:

"A converted receiver who didn’t begin playing defense until his junior season, Patterson is a safety with instant acceleration and imposing range. Predictably, he excels most in zone coverage, but the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder also has the foot speed and hips to play man coverage, particularly in goal-line situations where he can get physical. That natural physicality is also present when he runs the alley in run support."

Jaiden Patterson joins 26 other high school seniors who signed with the Tar Heels on the first day of the national signing period. At the time of this article's publishing, the collection boasts a No. 26 composite ranking.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Tar Heels and was syndicated with permission.

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