Jaret Patterson
Jaret Patterson (born December 23, 1999) is an American football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL).[1] Standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds, he entered the league as an undrafted free agent after a standout college career at the University at Buffalo, where he rushed for 3,884 yards and 52 touchdowns over three seasons.[1][2] Patterson's college tenure began as a freshman in 2018, when he became the first Buffalo player to rush for over 1,000 yards in his debut season, accumulating 1,013 yards and 14 touchdowns.[2] In 2019, his sophomore year, he elevated his performance to 1,799 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, leading the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in rushing.[2] The 2020 season, shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw him lead the MAC again with 1,072 yards and a conference-high 19 rushing touchdowns in just six games, earning him the MAC Offensive Player of the Year and MAC Player of the Year awards.[2] After going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, Patterson signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent.[1] Over two seasons with Washington (2021–2022), he appeared in 20 games, rushing for 344 yards on 85 carries with 2 touchdowns, while also recording 10 receptions for 73 yards.[1] He joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and has remained with the team through the 2025 season, where in three games he has rushed for 75 yards on 21 carries.[1][3] As of November 2025, Patterson continues to serve as a depth running back for the Chargers, contributing in limited roles.[3]Early life
Background
Jaret Patterson was born on December 23, 1999, in Glenn Dale, Maryland.[1][4] He grew up in a supportive household in suburban Maryland with his parents, Janine and Leroy Patterson, who instilled in him values of hard work and perseverance.[5] His family, including his fraternal twin brother James, fostered a close-knit environment that emphasized family attendance at Washington football games, sparking his early passion for the sport.[6][7] Patterson received his early education in Prince George's County public schools, attending Glenarden Woods Elementary School where he later returned to thank a influential second-grade teacher for shaping his positive outlook.[8] From a young age, Patterson participated in youth football leagues, though his small stature often limited his playing time; his mother provided unwavering encouragement during this period, helping build his resilience.[9]High school career
Patterson attended St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel, Maryland, graduating in 2018. As the starting running back for the Panthers, he played a pivotal role in the team's offensive success during his final two seasons. In his junior year of 2016, Patterson contributed to the school's Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) B Conference championship victory.[10] Patterson's senior season in 2017 marked his breakout performance, as he rushed for 2,045 yards and 23 touchdowns on 187 carries, averaging 10.9 yards per attempt. These efforts earned him All-Metro honors from The Baltimore Sun and the team's Player of the Year award. He also lettered in track and field, competing in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, showcasing his speed that complemented his football prowess.[11] Despite his production, Patterson was relatively under-recruited due to his 5 ft 8 in frame, receiving offers primarily from smaller programs. Rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports with an overall rating of 77, he committed to the University at Buffalo in July 2016 as part of a package deal with his twin brother James, forgoing other FCS opportunities.[12]College career
University at Buffalo
Patterson joined the University at Buffalo as a true freshman in 2018, quickly establishing himself as a key contributor to the Bulls' rushing attack. In 14 games, he rushed for 1,013 yards and 14 touchdowns on 183 carries, becoming the first freshman in program history to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season.[13][2] His performance earned him recognition as a dynamic back capable of handling a significant workload early in his college career.[14] As a sophomore in 2019, Patterson shared carries with fellow running back Kevin Marks but still delivered a record-setting campaign, rushing for 1,799 yards and 19 touchdowns over 13 games on 312 attempts.[13][2] This output set single-season school records for both yards and touchdowns, highlighting his efficiency with an average of 5.8 yards per carry.[15] A standout performance came against Bowling Green, where he exploded for 298 yards and a Mid-American Conference-record six rushing touchdowns in a 49-7 victory, solidifying Buffalo's position in the MAC East Division race.[15] Despite the backfield committee, Patterson's vision and burst helped the Bulls achieve bowl eligibility with a 7-6 record.[16] Patterson's junior year in 2020, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic to six games, marked his breakout as the premier rusher in the MAC. He amassed 1,072 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 141 carries, leading the conference in both categories while averaging 7.6 yards per attempt.[2][17] The pinnacle was a historic outing against Kent State on November 28, where he carried 36 times for 409 yards and eight touchdowns—a performance that tied the FBS single-game record for rushing scores and set a MAC mark for yards—in a 70-41 win.[18][19] However, he suffered a leg injury during the MAC Championship Game loss to Ball State on December 18, limiting his participation in the second half.[20] Patterson's contributions were instrumental in guiding Buffalo to a 6-1 record and a No. 25 national ranking, earning him MAC Offensive Player of the Year and Vern Smith Leadership Award honors as the conference's top player.[21][17] Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, forgoing his senior year.[22]Records and awards
During his time at the University at Buffalo, Jaret Patterson established several enduring records for the Bulls' football program, particularly in rushing categories that underscored his dominance as a running back. In the 2019 season, he set the single-season rushing yards record with 1,799 yards, surpassing previous benchmarks and leading the team to bowl eligibility. That same year, Patterson also established the program's single-season rushing touchdowns record with 19 scores, a mark that highlighted his efficiency and impact in Buffalo's offensive scheme; he tied this record in 2020. Additionally, his 409 rushing yards in a single game against Kent State on November 28, 2020, stands as the school record for most yards in a contest, achieved on 36 carries in a 70-41 victory.[13][23][24] Patterson's achievements extended to the Mid-American Conference (MAC), where he rewrote key rushing records and cemented his legacy among the conference's all-time greats. His 1,799 rushing yards in 2019 became the MAC single-season record, topping the previous high and ranking fifth nationally that year. The 19 rushing touchdowns from the 2019 season also set a new MAC standard, reflecting his role in elevating Buffalo's ground game to historic levels within the conference; he tied this mark in 2020. On the single-game front, Patterson's 409 yards against Kent State established a MAC record at the time, while his eight rushing touchdowns in that outing tied the FBS single-game mark, further emphasizing his explosive potential in mid-major competition. Earlier, in 2019, he had set a MAC single-game rushing touchdowns record with six against Bowling Green, a feat that foreshadowed his record-breaking 2020 campaign.[13][25][26][27] Patterson's exceptional performances earned him prominent awards that recognized his contributions at both the program and conference levels. In 2020, he was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year, becoming only the second player in Buffalo history to receive the honor, and also won the Vern Smith Leadership Award as the conference's top overall player. He earned first-team All-MAC honors that season, capping a year in which he led the conference in rushing yards and touchdowns. He also earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2019. As a freshman in 2018, Patterson was selected as the MAC Freshman of the Year and garnered second-team All-MAC recognition after rushing for 1,013 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games.[28][17][13][29] Beyond major awards, Patterson received multiple weekly honors that spotlighted his consistent excellence, particularly in the MAC and national contexts. He was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation Offensive Player of the Week twice during his career—once in 2019 after a 298-yard, six-touchdown performance against Bowling Green, and again in 2020 following his record-tying eight-touchdown game against Kent State. These accolades, along with several MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week selections in 2020, affirmed his status as a standout performer in mid-major football, though he did not secure national player of the year honors. In 2020, Patterson also earned All-American recognition from organizations including the Associated Press, FWAA, and Walter Camp Foundation, marking him as one of Buffalo's most decorated players.[30][31][32][33]College statistics
During his three seasons at the University at Buffalo from 2018 to 2020, Jaret Patterson established himself as one of the most prolific rushers in program history, accumulating 3,884 rushing yards and 52 rushing touchdowns on 636 carries for an average of 6.1 yards per carry.[2] He also recorded 20 receptions for 271 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown.[2] His kick return contributions were limited to 1 return for 16 yards, with no punt returns or passing attempts recorded.[2] The following table summarizes Patterson's year-by-year rushing and receiving statistics:| Season | Class | Games | Rushing Att | Rushing Yds | Yds/Att | Rushing TD | Receiving Rec | Receiving Yds | Yds/Rec | Receiving TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | FR | 14 | 183 | 1,013 | 5.5 | 14 | 7 | 62 | 8.9 | 0 |
| 2019 | SO | 13 | 312 | 1,799 | 5.8 | 19 | 13 | 209 | 16.1 | 1 |
| 2020 | JR | 6 | 141 | 1,072 | 7.6 | 19 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 |
| Career | 33 | 636 | 3,884 | 6.1 | 52 | 20 | 271 | 13.6 | 1 |