The Trench Warfare 2023 NFL Draft Film Room - Episode 9 featuring Notre Dame C Jarrett Patterson

Photo via Tyler Wise

Welcome everyone to the ninth edition of the 2023 NFL Draft film room series where I sit down with OL prospects in the upcoming draft class. The intent is to shine a light on each player’s story and skill-set while watching their college film together. The focus will be on the best competition they faced to best assess the strengths of their game and what they can rely on during their pro careers. 

We will discuss technique, scheme, dive into opponents and take you inside their preparation leading up to the game and how they processed information in real time. During our talks, players often share unique anecdotes and stories from the game and their careers that you can only find here on Trench Warfare.

So far for the 2023 draft class I have had on Tennessee RT Darnell Wright, Northwestern LT Peter Skoronski, Florida RG O’Cyrus Torrence, TCU LG Steve Avila, Oklahoma LT Anton Harrison, Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz, Ohio State RT Dawand Jones and Wisconsin C Joe Tippmann. Next up is Notre Dame C Jarrett Patterson.

Notre Dame C Jarrett Patterson

Jarrett Patterson is a four-year starter in Notre Dame’s multiple, run-heavy offense centered around split-flow zone, duo and power concepts. Patterson finished his career as a two-time team captain with 46 starts including 34 at center before switching to left guard and starting 12 games in 2022. He dealt with extensive injuries over his career (Lisfranc, torn pec, turf toe) that often kept him from practicing in full, yet he missed just six games while maintaining a high-level of play.

Some offensive linemen, particularly on the interior lack flash or elite-level traits yet continually find ways to execute their assignment and stay between the defender and the ball through leverage and technique. Patterson fits that bill and has success relying on very good hand placement, efficient footwork, consistent effort and quick processing skills. During our discussion Patterson’s work ethic, leadership qualities and football intelligence were apparent. There were stories, anecdotes and film examples that touched on these and many more important traits for sustained success in the NFL. While Patterson showed that he could function at guard in 2022, his best fit is at center in the NFL.

Here are some of the topics we discussed during our film room:

• Defining the ‘escape move’ for defenders when they’re engaged on a block, including examples of how to anticipate and sustain through it

• Patterson’s decision to play in the team’s bowl game

• Deconstructing the greatness of O-line coach Harry Hiestand with examples of drills, his influence and coaching philosophy

• Reading linebackers pre-snap to determine how to fit on the first-level

• Sharing a pass-protection tip Patterson used against Wisconsin DT Keanu Benton that he picked up from former All-Pro center Olin Kreutz when Kreutz visited practice (Kreutz is a former Hiestand disciple)

  • Video preview:

• Patterson and the O-line’s film study paying off against Clemson, helping them eliminate possibilities based on tendencies they identified during the week

• Breaking down what a typical week looked like for the Notre Dame OL in-season from a film study and practice standpoint

  • Video preview:

• Why being aware of the running back’s path and aiming point is important and how that translates to success executing your assignment on the OL

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• Patterson provided insightful, nuanced critiques of his play throughout our exchange

• Patterson using pre-snap communication to give a heads up to his left tackle and how that led to the success of the play

• Breaking down an epic example of one of the benefits of finishing blocks that resulted in an extra 10 yards added onto a run play

• Detailed discussions about anchoring in pass-protection: technique, key points, coaching cues and more