Tight end Ben Patrick has emerged from the 2006 football season as one of the most decorated players in University of Delaware history and is considered a strong National Football League prospect.

Patrick, who competed one season for the Fightin’ Blue Hens after transferring from Duke University, was a consensus NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision All-America, being selected first team by the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association, the Walter Camp Foundation and the Sports Network.

Patrick is one of eight consensus All-America players in the Football Championship Subdivision, which previously was Division I-AA. The 6-foot 5-inch, 270-pound graduate student is just the third tight end in UD history to earn All-America honors and the first to earn first team honors. Former Fightin’ Blue Hens Jaime Young (1979) and Jeff Modesitt (1986) earned Associated Press honorable mention.
Patrick caught 64 passes for 639 yards and six touchdowns in his only season with the Hens, setting a UD single season record for receptions by a tight end and ranking third in the conference in receptions at 5.82 per game.

His 5.82 receptions per game and 58.1 yards per game were also tops among all Football Championship Subdivision tight ends during the regular season. He caught at least five passes in each of the final nine games of the season and had nine catches for 109 yards and one touchdown against the University of New Hampshire, then ranked No. 1 in the nation, on Sept. 30.

In November, Patrick earned first team All-Atlantic 10 Conference honors, becoming the first UD tight end to be named to the all-conference team.

Patrick was selected to play in the 82nd annual East-West Shrine Football All-Star Game played Jan. 20 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, where he caught several passes and the eyes of pro scouts. He is the second UD player selected to compete in the showcase game, joining defensive back Sidney Haugabrook, who played in the 2005 contest. Based on his performance there, he also competed in the Senior Bowl.

Several NFL draft services had Patrick ranked in the top 10 tight end prospects, in company with such players as Zach Miller of Arizona State University, Tyler Ecker of the University of Michigan and Martrez Milner of the University of Georgia. He was invited to the NFL Combine and was highlighted in a Sports Illustrated article on prospective pro players.

Patrick says that he had a wonderful transition from Blue Devil to Blue Hen. “The experience at UD was one that I wish I could have enjoyed a little bit longer,” he says. “My few months there were very special on and off the field. I always knew Delaware was a special place, but it wasn’t until the first game that I got an idea of what UD fans were all about. The Rhode Island game was something special, as well. It was amazing to see just how many fans had not only made the long trip, but also sat through a rainy game. I’ve never experienced fan support quite like UD. I loved how rowdy the student sections were and to actually see students with my number (8) painted on their bodies. It was something special and something I will never forget.”

Patrick says he decided to transfer to UD because he wanted to compete at “a place rich in tradition, a place where football was important and a place where I could have the opportunity to win a lot of games. I also wanted to go to a place where I could further my education, and when the time permits, coming back to Delaware to extend my studies is a high priority.”

He says the University and the football program “lived up to all my expectations and more,” adding, “UD is a great school full of great people. I never had a bad day at the University of Delaware.”

Being named a consensus All-America was a “tremendous honor,” Patrick says, but he was quick to add, “These awards were not solely won by me. There were a lot of guys who worked hard on our entire offense to make this possible. I have to accept these accolades on behalf of the entire offensive coaching staff and the offense as a whole—quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends and backs, and especially the offensive line.”

Patrick’s immediate goal is to play professional football and to complete his graduate studies in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy. Career plans include possibly opening a health club.

Patrick says he wants “to thank the entire UD family and community for allowing me to be a part of something so special.”

“My first four years of college were very tough, and at times it felt like I had missed out on some experiences that I really wanted to live through,” he says. “For my final year of college football, I wanted to be a part of something special. Because of the UD family, I was able to experience everything that I had hoped for and more. For that I am forever indebted to all members of the UD family, and I want them to know that I’ll be trying my best to represent the University to the best of my ability.”
Patrick offers special thanks to Director of Athletics Edgar Johnson and UD Head Coach K.C. Keeler “for making it possible for me to attend this great University.”

—Neil Thomas, AS ’76