TE Patton is eager to compete with elite players in U Sports or NCAA

Athletes have a competitive nature and often look back on memorable moments throughout their playing days and, in Aidan Patton’s case, that experience took place in the YRAA finals in 2015.

“We played Huron and the game was decided by a touchdown by Huron with under 20 seconds remaining,” he said. “It was such a memorable experience to have a season that exceeded all expectations.”

Aidan is “most comfortable” when he’s on the gridiron. “When I’m on the field everything else is irrelevant,” Patton said. “It is more than just a game to me, it is a lifestyle.”

He has been playing for six years on a few different squads. He suited up for the Markham Raiders from 2010-2014, the ACG All-Stars in 2013 and 2014 and has been representing the Bill Crothers Colts since 2014.

Aidan has managed to rack up some impressive awards. During his time with the Raiders, he won Defensive Rookie of the Year (2010), team MVP (2011,2013,2014) and Defensive Player of the Year (2012). While playing for the Colts, he won Defensive Rookie of the Year (2014) and team MVP (2015) and was also a YRAA All-Star as a junior (2016).

He thoroughly enjoys his various positions on the field. “I like my position because I like to be able to make a big impact in games and I’ve found that I’m best able to do that at my position,” he said. “My size and my strength give me an edge on the field. I am able to jump over players to catch balls or run through them after the catch. It also allows me to break through the offensive line and apply pressure.”

There are three NFL players who he models his game after.

“I like to try and model my offensive game as a Rob Gronkowski-type,” Patton said. “I do my best to be as physical as possible and use my size and wingspan to my advantage. On defence, I try to model myself after J.J. Watt and Julius Peppers. Both are prolific pass rushers, but also if needed, can cover short routes in zones.”

Aidan has experienced a wide range of emotions during the recruitment process. “It’s been confusing” he said, “I got to watch my older brother go through it too, so I had a bit of experience with it before I went into it.” He adds that “It’s been a bit frustrating at times, but I’m happy that I’m being talked to by universities in my junior year.”

He hasn’t committed to any schools yet, but he’s “interested in many NCAA schools as well as CIS schools.” Last summer, he made unofficial visits to Michigan, Ohio State, Syracuse, Buffalo and Purdue. “I feel like once I find the major I want, then I can narrow it down to schools that have the programs I want to take part in.”

As for influences, Aidan’s brother has played a major role in his life, as well as his trainers and coaches.

“My brother has definitely been a big influence, always pushing me to train and focus,” Patton said. “He’s impacted me greatly and I try to keep up that work ethic. My trainers and coaches have all impacted me greatly, some of which have experience playing at the next level and they’ve helped shed some light on what I could experience in playing at the next level.”

When it comes to his education, there is some uncertainty. “I don’t know what I would like to major in yet, but I’m hoping that I’ll figure it out soon,” he said. But he is striving to play football at the next level and when he reaches there, he will have high expectations for himself. He also is confident that he’ll make the jump to the next level without any hiccups.

“I hope to play football at the university level and, if possible, at the professional level,” Patton said. “For my freshman year of university, I’m going to try to get as much advice from the older players on the team and the coaching staff to make me as good a football player as I can possibly be, and then become a useful asset to my teammates and coaching staff,” he said.

“I think I’ll be able to adjust fairly well,” Patton said. “I love competition and I look forward to playing with the best players in the country. I plan on training five days a week during the off-season, doing weights and speed and agility training while still working on my technique.”

 

Aidan Patton
TE/SB/DE/OLB/ILB
6’4”, 220 lbs

Teams: Markham Raiders, Bill Crothers Colts
Commitment: None
Official Visits: None
Considerations: Open
Class: 2018

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