Patterson and his brother grayshirted in the fall of 2017 and joined the team full-time for spring practice in 2018.[5] In his freshman season in 2018, Patterson rushed for 1,013 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year and named to the All-MAC Second-team. He returned as Buffalo's starting running back in 2019 and had the best season by a running back in school history by rushing for a single-season school record 1,799 yards and scoring 19 rushing touchdowns, also a school record. He led the MAC and ranked fifth in the nation in rushing yards on his way to being named to the All-MAC First-team.[6] In the 2019 Bahamas Bowl, Patterson rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns in a Buffalo win, their first bowl win in program history, and received the game's offensive MVP award.[7]
Washington Football Team / Commanders (first stint)
Patterson after scoring a touchdown in 2022
Patterson signed with the Washington Football Team on May 3, 2021, after going unselected in the 2021 NFL draft.[16] Patterson performed well enough in the 2021 preseason to receive praise from head coach Ron Rivera. He was ultimately named to the team's final roster over veteran running back Peyton Barber.[17]
Prior to the first game of the regular season, Patterson was listed as the third running back on the depth chart behind Antonio Gibson and J. D. McKissic.[18] He made his pro football debut in the first week of the season with two rushes for nine yards on four offensive snaps.[19] After playing only on special teams in the following two games, he recorded his first reception in the fourth week of the season on the first target of his career. It was good for eleven yards and a first down.[19] In the eighth week of the season, he recorded season-highs with eleven rushing attempts and 46 rushing yards.[19] In the Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Patterson fumbled for the first time in his NFL career but also scored his first career touchdown on a fourth-quarter carry from the one-yard line.[19][20] Patterson would get his first career start in Week 17 against the Eagles in place of Antonio Gibson, who was on the team's COVID-19 reserve list. In the game, he recorded 57 rushing yards on 12 carries, his second career touchdown, and 41 receiving yards on five receptions.[21]
On August 30, 2022, Patterson was waived by the Commanders and signed to the practice squad the next day.[22][23] He spent the entire 2022 season on the practice squad until November 14 when he was activated for that night's game following injuries to Gibson and McKissic.[24] The majority of the carries went to Brian Robinson Jr., however, and Patterson only appeared on four plays on special teams.[25] Patterson appeared in a game on January 1 and returned kicks for the first time in his NFL career, picking up 70 yards on three opportunities.[26] He was signed to the active roster again on January 5, 2023.[27] Patterson got his first touches on offense in the final game of the season in a winning effort. Although on the bench behind Jonathan Williams, he led the team with 17 carries and 78 rushing yards,[28] both of which set career highs.[26]
On August 28, 2023, Patterson was released as part of final roster cuts before the start of 2023 season.[29]
Los Angeles Chargers (first stint)
On September 13, 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Patterson to their practice squad.[30] He was released on December 20.
Washington Commanders (second stint)
On December 26, 2023, Patterson signed with the practice squad of the Washington Commanders.[31] He became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired after the season.[32]
Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)
On January 10, 2024, Patterson signed a reserve/future contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.[33]