Patrick, who transferred to UD from Duke University, caught 64 passes for 639 yards for the Fightin' Blue Hens. He also scored six touchdowns, and was a consensus All-America in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
Patrick, a 6-foot 4-inch, 250-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 Hens Jaime Young (1979) and Jeff Modesitt (1986) earned Associated Press honorable mention.
Following the season, Patrick was invited to play in both the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl, both all-star contests at which he excelled. He was later invited to participate in the NFL combine, where scouts get a close look at prospective players.
Mock drafts have Patrick among the top five tight ends available this year, and some place him as high as third, behind Greg Olsen of the University of Miami and Zach Miller of Arizona State University. He could be selected in the second or third rounds of the draft.
The NFL draft, being held in New York City and covered extensively by ESPN and Sirius NFL Radio, will begin Saturday and continue into Sunday.
Patrick said he decided to transfer to UD because he wanted to compete at “a place rich in tradition, a place where football was important.”
He said 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.”
“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,” Patrick said. “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.”
