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DEL.ICIO.USHenry County WR Jamal Patterson stuns with Stanford decision
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Henry County’s Jamal Patterson, who was one of the nation’s most-heavily recruited wide receivers with around 50 offers, made the stunning decision to commit to Stanford on Monday night.
Patterson picked the Cardinal over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina, and Oregon, among others.
“My senior season is about to start, and I just wanted to get that [college choice] out of the way,” Patterson said. “Stanford had been my favorite since I visited there in June. I kept visiting other schools to check out all my options, but Stanford was No. 1 all along.”
How did Stanford lure Patterson away from the surrounding SEC and ACC schools? “It felt like a family atmosphere, and you can’t beat the academics. You can only play football for so long, academics are for the long run in life.”
“All the other programs are good, too, but it just came down to which school I felt like was the best fit for me. Stanford is where I want to be.”
Patterson said he consulted on Monday afternoon with his parents, who supported the decision. “They loved everything about Stanford. They didn’t put any pressure on me, they told me it was my decision to make, and they were very excited my decision.”
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By YellerSkeeters are PeterEaters!
August 25, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Why stunned? I mean, I love to goad the Nancy Boys on North Ave., among others, but it is Stanford. Great for him. As much as I like to kid, I know that Tech is a superior school for academics (not athletics). I love UGA (BA’91), and we’ve come a looong way since the lottery started pumping funds into Georgia — so that the best and brightest, that once left the state, now stay home … it is Stanford, a perennial top 10. Congrats!
By Juice
August 26, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Stunned! This kid should be applauded. I too would have loved to see his talents in the southeast , but academically how can you go wrong with Stanford.Good choice kid ,we will miss you on the big screen….That Stanford degree will go a long way after football.
By StormDebris
August 26, 2008 2:26 AM | Link to this
I think this is a very mature pick for such a young man. He is dreaming big. He has the foresight that he will not be playing football forever. If you are pro material, the NFL will find you wherever you are. Stanford is a great university. The young man will reap great rewards throughout his life time if he takes advantage of this experience. God Bless Him!
By Frank
August 26, 2008 4:44 AM | Link to this
This wasn’t too stunning of an announcement if you follow college football recruiting. What was really surprising was his second choice was George O’Leary’s UCF. They really know how to sell their program down in Florida…and continue to recruit really well here in GA.
By Frank
August 26, 2008 4:49 AM | Link to this
This wasn’t too stunning of an announcement if you follow college football recruiting. What was really surprising was his second choice was George O’Leary’s UCF. They really know how to sell their program down in Florida…and continue to recruit really well here in GA.
By gd
August 26, 2008 5:12 AM | Link to this
Only thing stunning is that a local kid does this well! Great for him. Turning down an opportunity to attend Stanford would have been stunning. Being from Clayton County and getting into Stanford would have been stunning. If he is good enough to play in the NFL, he’ll certainly get noticed. Otherwise, he’ll have a degree from one of the best schools in the country. Not a bad way to start his new life.
By benadawg
August 26, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this
I guess hanging out with tiger woods will be ok if you get homesick.
By Not stunned at all
August 26, 2008 6:37 AM | Link to this
Newsflash……
Tech rescinded their offer to Patterson after they got the WR verbal from Texas. Jamaal would’ve had to walk on at The Flats.
2nd Newsflash……
This year’s Super 11 aint tooo super compared to year’s past! Patterson isn’t even the best WR on his team. Watch the Ambles kid who transferred from Griffin.
By borodawg
August 26, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this
Hmmm, if it was academics, why not stay closer to home with Vandy or Duke?
By Mike
August 26, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this
Congrats to the young man. I hope he enjoys California.
By FlaDog
August 26, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
I’m glad to see a young man thinking abut the long run.
By flats
August 26, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
GOOD PICK! ESPECIALLY IF DAWGS WEREN’T IN THE RUNNING!
By noneya
August 26, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Academics have to be a very high priority for this young man to even be considered to attend Stanford. I applaud his choice. Cali is a long way from home though.
By Maniac is accurate
August 26, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Easy choice. The chicks in NoCal are super premium.
By Vinnie Jones
August 26, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Good luck to this young man, I applaud him for making such a mature and educated decision. And to the blogger who mentioned Clayton County, Mr. Patterson is from Henry County. Wishing Mr. Patterson nothing but the best!!
By TigerMom
August 26, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Congratulations Jamal!! I’ve been following your recruiting since we met in January and I knew you would make the SMART choice… You’re a great young man with a fine future. Keep in touch with Tony - and pray for him; he’ll need it this year!!
By D Fin
August 26, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
it”s stunning because most kids want to be seen on tv in the sec or acc, and most dont think about Academics, im glad he is thinkig of school first and not just football!!!
By newteamgear.com
August 26, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
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By JacketFan
August 26, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Stunned???
Poor choice of words when a lot of college athletes think sports is the only way out.
He gets a top notch education while playing in a big time national league.
Can’t say that is you play for UGA, Alabama, Auburn, or any other SEC school other than Vanderbilt!
By JEWELL ROLLEN
August 26, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
HAVING WORKED IN PALO ALTO FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND BEEN ON THE STANFORD CAMPUS….I CAN SEE WHY HE MADE THE DECISION TO ATTEND STANFORD…..SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND THE ACADEMICS FIRST CLASS…CONGRATS KID……
By Harry
August 26, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Academics aside, who wants to attend Duke or Vandy as a football player? He did well to select Stanford. FYI - I am NOT Pac-10 fan.
By Harry
August 26, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Academics aside, who wants to attend Duke or Vandy as a football player? He did well to select Stanford. FYI - I am NOT a Pac-10 fan.
By Brent Braham
August 26, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
I enjoy the company of men.
By AtlantaCardinal
August 26, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Jamal! Stanford alumni clubs here in Atlanta salute his decision. Stanford is a wonderful place. No other school offers the best combination of academic and athletic success. For the past 14 years, Stanford has won the Directors Cup for the best college athletics program. And at the Beijing Olympics, Stanford had more students/alumni athletes than any other university. Now if the football team can continue beating Cal and return to the Rose Bowl, all will be perfect.
By AtlantaCardinal
August 26, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Jamal! Stanford alumni clubs here in Atlanta salute his decision. Stanford is a wonderful place. No other school offers the best combination of academic and athletic success. For the past 14 years, Stanford has won the Directors Cup for the best college athletics program. And at the Beijing Olympics, Stanford had more students/alumni athletes than any other university. Now if the football team can continue beating Cal and return to the Rose Bowl, all will be perfect.
By gttim
August 26, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Harry, are you suggesting that Duke is not a powerhouse of football? If you are… you are correct. Good choice for the kid. A Stanford degree is very well respected.
By heeldawg
August 26, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Good choice for a student-athlete. I’m an Honors Program Georgia graduate who also holds a doctoral degree (M.D.), and I seriously looked at Stanford for both undergrad and medical school. It truly has strengths in both athletics (across the board) and academics (ditto). The Pac-10 is a great league, and Palo Alto is a great city. Heck, who wouldn’t take the gift of a quality Stanford education?
BTW, for all of the disparaging and insanely jealous Tech fans who perpetuate the myth that Tech somehow maintains an academic edge over the University of Georgia (we all know how deep the athletic chasm between the two schools is), sorry to puncture your delusions, but the difference between the Tech freshman class and the Georgia freshman class in terms of grades and GPA is not statistically significant. And an Honors Program education at UGA is better than anything Tech has to offer. I’ll admit that Georgia isn’t Stanford, but Tech isn’t either. In fact, it’s not even close.
By LongBeachJacket
August 26, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Plenty of opportunity to go around.
No one can argue with a Stanford education. Top notch. Congrats to Mr. Patterson!
The Cardinal under Jim Harbaugh seem to be mining the Atlanta area and plucking some very good players….the kid from Walton last year (this year’s freshman class)…and now this young man. Smart move by Coach Harbaugh if his budget allows him to recruit down here. If he can get them out for a visit…it is a compelling place (as others have referenced above) and not difficult to sell…
I wouldn’t know, but sounds as though we weren’t at the top of this young man’s list. Either way…what matters….
PJ will find plenty enough good players to fill the roster and all will be well.
GO JACKETS!!!
By AtlantaCardinal
August 26, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
LongBeachJacket.. “Smart move by Coach Harbaugh if his budget allows him to recruit down here.” ??? Stanford is one of the third richest university in the nation. And it is a national university. Not a regional one. There are plenty of Stanford alumni in Atlanta and the southeast. And annually, the Atlanta area sends about 30 new students to the school. The problem with Stanford athletics is that the Stanford admissions office is pretty unbending when it comes to relaxing admissions standards for athletes. Most schools in this area don’t seem to have that issue.
By AtlantaCardinal
August 26, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
LongBeachJacket.. “Smart move by Coach Harbaugh if his budget allows him to recruit down here.” ??? Stanford is one of the third richest university in the nation. And it is a national university. Not a regional one. There are plenty of Stanford alumni in Atlanta and the southeast. And annually, the Atlanta area sends about 30 new students to the school. The problem with Stanford athletics is that the Stanford admissions office is pretty unbending when it comes to relaxing admissions standards for athletes. Most schools in this area don’t seem to have that issue.
By AtlantaCardinal
August 26, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
LongBeachJacket.. “Smart move by Coach Harbaugh if his budget allows him to recruit down here.” ??? Stanford is one of the third richest university in the nation. And it is a national university. Not a regional one. There are plenty of Stanford alumni in Atlanta and the southeast. And annually, the Atlanta area sends about 30 new students to the school. The problem with Stanford athletics is that the Stanford admissions office is pretty unbending when it comes to relaxing admissions standards for athletes. Most schools in this area don’t seem to have that issue.
By BigJim
August 26, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Heel…your post is so full of ignorant moronic statements I don’t know where to start..
The mere fact you have to mention you have a “Phd-MD” proves either you flunked out of Gwinnett Tech and work 3rd shift at Taco Bell…or you are an egotistical needle dick douche bag…which is it?
Adding “Honors Program” to the front of any UGA degree is pathetic, like putting perfume on a turd…ever hear a Stanford or MIT grad say that? No…
You “seriously looked at Stanford Med” but went to UGA??? Are you retarded?? What planet does someone do that??
3A. Never seen the UGA Med school..anyone else out there? Too Funny…
3B. “Heck who wouldn’t take the gift of a quality Stanford education”…apparently you ya moron…
Top over all Tier 1 schools…UGA cracks the top 60 at a whopping #58!! Impressive. Behind SEVEN ACC schools..GT is in at #35.
Freshman stats…lets not confuse an abundance of applicants with a successful program…
“An Honor Program Degree from UGA”…whoo weee…gives me a woody just hearing it…how impressive…bet you make your kids call you DOCTOR!
Get your facts right, and when your shift is over at TB, you can respond.
By UGA Pedigree
August 26, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
To Tech Dude ‘not stunned at all”.The WR from Texas you got, Moore???, is a 2 star ranked 151 on scout.com. Patterson is #15. Walk on indeed…pay attention fool. I would have liked to have seen Patterson at UGA, but at least he’s not going to Tech. And for Borodawg, don’t be an ignorant dawg…bro… Vandy and Dook can’t hang with Stanford in academics.
By Jeff
August 26, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
Stanford is essentially the Harvard of the west coast…but with a top notch athletics program competing in the PAC-10. Whats “Stunning” is how Stanford doesn’t recruit better year after year. Offering a kid a Stanford degree and an education that would easily cost a quarter million dollars, its more of a wonder why more top notch athletes don’t choose this school.
By LongBeachJacket
August 27, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
AtlantaCardinal. Thanks for the vine…
Congrats on the top recruit…
I am aware of the financial prowess (and other eminent qualities) of Stanford. What is also true is that the Athletic Depts at D1 institutions…and I assume Stanford operates similarly…fund their athletic programs primarily through separate Athletic Associations (501-C-3)….the GTAA being one such entity.
The school may be rolling in dough, but it may not be reflected in the institution’s athletic expenditures…or level of overall commitment to athletic excellence.
D Rad has to “ask” the Institute (Tech) for a certain level of contributory funding each fiscal year.
He’s done and excellent job of enhancing GTAA’s other revenue streams and that benefits our program immensely and minimize his need to go up the hill for a contribution.
I assume Stanford has a strong athletic association, but it is expensive to recruit nationally nevertheless.
I give Jim Harbaugh high marks for moving in that direction. Hopefully, the athletic boosters see the wisdom in it and pony up. I would like to see the Cardinal beat SC EVERY year not just last year’s upset.
Ga Tech is also a national school and recruits nationally…although PJ is probably moving our football recruiting to a more regional focus, which makes sense for us because we are situated in a heavily saturated talent-rich environment vis-a-vis football…albeit with a lot of local competition for the talent.
The academic is certainly not a non-issue for many of the ACC schools, or SEC schools for that matter (of course standards to vary by institution).
Admissions is one thing, but retention is another. In Tech’s case the later is more of a potential pitfall. We might be able to get’em in, but once their in, they better darn sure keep up in the classroom, or they won’t stick around…
Best of luck to you guys this year and make some noise in the PAC-10!
GO JACKETS!!
By tONNIA bLOUNT
January 23, 2009 11:26 PM | Link to this
JAMAL IS SMART; WELL EXPOSED AND FROM A WELL TO DO FAMILY.STANFORD LET HIM IN ,HE WILL KEEP HIS SELF IN. HE WILL BE JUST FINE.