Football has been a family affair for most of Patrick Peterson’s life.
His father, Patrick Sr., runs a workout facility named “World Class Speed” in Boca Raton, Fla., and the former LSU cornerback is related to four NFL players. When asked how long his father has been training him, Peterson said, “Since I came out of the womb.”
Pittsburgh cornerback Bryant McFadden, Oakland cornerback Walter McFadden, Washington wide receiver Santana Moss and Philadelphia receiver Sinorice Moss are cousins.
“[Football] is definitely a trait that’s been passed on generation after generation,” said Peterson, who’s considered the top defensive back in the NFL draft, which will held Thursday through Saturday.
He didn’t start lifting weights until late in his high school career, but his father had him do plenty of pushups and sit-ups before that.
“He’s always been teaching me all the little things to help me be the best player I can be,” Peterson said. “He was always my football coach throughout high school and little league. Fortunately, not in college.”
His father was pleased with Peterson’s performance at the NFL scouting combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds, did 15 lifts of 225 pounds and had a 38-inch vertical jump. Those numbers are off the charts for a 6-foot, 219-pound man.
Peterson also said he didn’t need to lose any weight because he had just 7 percent body fat.
“My dad knows my body best,” Peterson said.
His blend of size and speed is impressive to NFL teams. His ability to return kickoffs and punts are considered a luxury. It’s unlikely that Peterson will last past the seventh pick.
“There are four outstanding corners in this draft, and then there is a drop-off,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. “Peterson, then [Prince] Amukamara, [Jimmy] Smith and Aaron Williams. Then you get to the next tier.”
Peterson believes that playing in the SEC helped prepare him for the NFL.
“It could have been even better if I could play those guys each and every week,” Peterson said. “In the NFL, it’s the Joneses and Greens each and every Sunday. It was a fun experience. I got a chance to go up against Julio Jones three years straight. I got a chance to go up against A.J. Green two years straight.
“Those guys definitely helped me elevate my game to the next level each and every time we played.”
While Peterson doesn’t come off as brash, he is confident in his skills.
“I’m an all-around cornerback, and that’s what I wanted to [be] coming out of college,” Peterson said. “I definitely want to continue that trend going into the NFL.”
Peterson doesn’t want to hear any talk about being moved to safety because of his size.
“I feel my best game is at cornerback,” said Peterson, who pointed out that he gave up only one touchdown pass last season, to Jones.
Teams also are impressed with Peterson’s dazzling return ability. He averaged 29.1 yards on kickoff returns and 16.1 yards on punt returns, with two touchdowns, last season.
“That’s absolutely huge,” St. Louis general manager Billy Devaney said. “He’s an impact guy at both spots. That’s extremely valuable.”
The Broncos own the second pick. Most project that they’ll take a defensive lineman, but they’ll have to consider Peterson, who could learn the ropes from Champ Bailey early in his career.
“He is a great athlete and not only [on defense], but as a returner,” said John Elway, Denver’s executive vice president of football operations. “He is special as a returner. He is a guy that can do a lot of different things for you.
“Athletically, he is as good as anybody in the draft. He can run, and he has good size for a corner. He is a guy that can make some big plays.”
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