Kane Patterson Commits to Clemson Tigers

Kane Patterson (6’1, 225) from Nashville, TN and Christ Presbyterian Academy is the 24th commitment for Clemson’s 2019 recruiting class. Kane is the fifth linebacker take in the class (only the fourth take if you consider Greg Williams as a DE recruit), and the last take at the position (Q. Crouch is an oversign candidate, but could play RB or a DE/LB hybrid role). He was an Ohio State commitment until the recent turmoil at OSU caused him to continue to rethink his recruitment, but the wheels had been set in motion for Clemson at the beginning of the month of August. Patterson had offers from all the top schools in the country and considered Clemson and Alabama after de-committing from Ohio State.

Lemanski Hall and Brent Venables get credit for the recruitment. Hall and Dabo Swinney were once teammates with Kane’s father at Alabama. Clemson curiously didn’t actually offer him a scholarship until August 3rd of this past month. Early in his Sophomore year Kane cited Clemson as his dream school and a team he wanted a scholarship from, but since Patterson didn’t camp at Clemson the offer never materialized and he was courted by Ohio State heavily despite his interest in Clemson. Things got ironed out prior to his de-commitment to OSU, which led to Clemson extending its offer. It was on his visit over the weekend that Patterson knew he wanted to come to Clemson. No better closer in the business right now than Dabo Swinney.

Patterson is the composite number 199 overall player, but that number is far too high and skewed because one recruiting service has him much too low. That will get adjusted and he will be a top 150 player with ease. I think he is talented enough to knock on top 100 status. Kane is first and foremost a violent hitter. When he tackles the ball carrier, they are going to feel it. For his high school team he plays both ways. He gained over a thousand yards last season as a running back and wildcat QB, which shows his speed and change of direction. As a linebacker he is adept at blitzing and rushing the passer. He packs a serious wallop. He is also an intelligent, instinctual player.

What separates Kane from other linebackers is his ability to rush and also move in space and change direction. He can legitimately drop into coverage and in the 220-225 range already should be able to maintain that athleticism in college. He has the speed to play sideline to sideline and get to the perimeter. The only major challenge will be adjusting to a speed and talent level of college football after playing against weaker competition in HS. Ohio State lost a gem and I don’t foresee any additional recruiting drama or changes for Kane now that he is committed to Clemson.