UCLA Football: Scouting 2024 Commit OLB Isaiah Patterson
Yelm (Yelm, WA) outside linebacker Isaiah Patterson is one of the best recruits out of Washington in the 2024 cycle. He is probably the best player at Yelm High School, a perennial powerhouse football program.
Patterson committed to UCLA back in May and is the lone edge defender currently committed in UCLA’s 2024 recruiting class. Patterson passed up on offers from Oregon, Boise State, ASU, BYU, Nevada, and Washington State to play for Chip Kelly’s Bruins.
With the likely departure of Laiatu Latu for the NFL, UCLA could really use some depth up in the defensive front 7. So, will Patterson be able to step in next season and contribute? We took a look at his sophomore and junior season Hudl film to provide some clarity for Bruin fans regarding how soon Patterson will get on the field for the Bruins.
Frame-wise, the 6-3, 235-pound Patterson could support another 10-20 pounds of weight. If defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn plans on using him up near the line of scrimmage, he’ll have to put on some weight.
His athleticism leaps off the page, flying all over the field in both his sophomore and junior season highlight film. He’s got terrific range as a linebacker and he flips his hips to redirect with ease. He could probably be a solid off-ball linebacker, but his length combined with his skill set, we think, point to him being a very effective outside linebacker/edge defender. He’s violent when taking on pullers, and consistently keeps his feet moving through contact.
Instinctually, Patterson has the IT factor. He has a motor that does not stop, and we see this over and over in his highlights when he chases down ball carriers from across the field. While pretty much every position in football requires a high motor, no position necessitates it more so than the edge defender position.
Technically, Patterson comes in fairly polished as an outside linebacker. We wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being a hybrid defender who can put his hand in the dirt to rush the passer, while also being utilized as an off-ball flat defender at outside linebacker. He uses his hands well when he engages with blockers, consistently locking them out to allow for easy disengagement and subsequent pursuit.
All in all, we could see Patterson being utilized on special teams as soon as he lands in Westwood. While he grows into his frame and adjusts to Division-One offensive lineman, look for Patterson to develop into a solid stand-up edge defender who can both rush the passer and drop into coverage.
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