4-Star DE Recruit Natrez Patrick Sets Decision Date
Dynamic defender Natrez Patrick is ready to pick with which university he'll spend the upcoming years of his football future. The 4-star Georgia product will announce Friday, May 16, and is down to four finalists, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Michael Carvell.
He named Ole Miss, Auburn, Georgia and Alabama as teams still jockeying for his commitment. The highly anticipated reveal will take place during his spring game at Mays High School (Atlanta).
Patrick, a 6'3", 220-pound edge-rusher, earned first-team all-state honors in 2013. He tallied 83 tackles, including 27 for loss, and 17 sacks.
His junior season also featured three defensive touchdowns. Mays reached the second round of postseason action with Patrick wreaking havoc up front.
He is rated No. 7 nationally among weak-side defensive ends in 247Sports' composite rankings but could spend the majority of collegiate snaps at outside linebacker.
The upcoming decision will cap a whirlwind recruitment that includes programs from across the country. LSU, Florida, Clemson, USC, Notre Dame and Tennessee are among teams left on the doorstep during the final stretch of his recruiting process.
A commitment will help quell the madness.
“I definitely wanted to do it before the season started,” Patrick told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I didn’t want to think about it during my senior season of high school football. Because my season comes first, so I just wanted to get it out of the way.”
Georgia is viewed as a strong favorite to land the in-state talent. Experts project Patrick to sign with the Bulldogs in 100 percent of 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions.
However, it's never smart to discount Nick Saban and Alabama. Patrick plays alongside a future Tuscaloosa lineman.
Offensive guard Dallas Warmack, his teammate at Mays, committed to the Crimson Tide last summer.
"If you get an offer from (Alabama), they should always be one of your top choices," Patrick told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
With four SEC squads in the mix, plenty of eyes will be on Patrick when a choice arrives Friday.
Recruit information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
