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However, not everything went according to plan for Patterson, who spent most of his high school career “moving around different positions,� and Brennan, when he was at San Jose State.

Patterson said his “grades weren’t the best,� and it steered the Bay Area product an hour south to College of San Mateo, a powerhouse junior-college football program, where he teamed up with several of his current UA teammates: wide receiver Reymello Murphy, defensive end Cyrus Durham and cornerbacks Demetrius Freeney and Johno Price.

Once the 5-10, 175-pound slot receiver enrolled at College of San Mateo, “I got a lot more focused� with football, he said.

In two seasons at College of San Mateo, Patterson caught 90 passes for 1,118 yards and 15 touchdowns as the Bulldogs’ slot receiver. College of San Mateo, a renowned program nationally, “prepared us and show us a good example of the Division I level, so I feel like they really prepared me,� said Patterson.

In his final months at College of San Mateo, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receivers coach Bobby Wade “did a really good job with that evaluation process,â€� he said in August.

“I’ve watched every single one of his games, probably every single one of his reps. The final piece was to watch him live and work out. When I got out to San Mateo and watched him work, it was immediate for me, and that’s I needed to see,� Wade said last month. “He’s bringing exactly what I wanted him to bring to this offense. I also feel like there’s gonna be more that I can give him sooner than later, which is great. I think his learning curve is outstanding.�

When Wade and Patterson spoke for the first time over FaceTime, the two “instantly clicked.� Wade and Patterson also have common ground as smaller and shifty wide receivers and return specialists.

“We related because of the skillset we have. ... Everything he was telling me, I picked up on everything,� Patterson said.

Once Patterson and Wade met in person, “our relationship grew from there and I trusted him,� said the UA receiver.

“It’s not the best when you meet a coach for the first time. Sometimes it’s a bit uncomfortable, but we instantly connected,� Patterson said. “That was a great start.�

Patterson’s relationship with Wade and the UA coaches brought him to Tucson instead of UNLV and Kansas State, the school ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ faces Friday night in Manhattan, Kansas.

Wade was most impressed by Patterson’s “toughness� in training camp, which thrust the junior-college transfer into the starting slot role as the successor to San Francisco 49ers rookie Jacob Cowing, who became the first UA wide receiver drafted since Juron Criner in 2012. Replacing Cowing, one of the best playmaking slot receivers in UA history, is a tall order, but “he’s very dynamic,� Wade said of Patterson.

Throughout training camp, Patterson mostly showed his speed and ability to create separation from defensive backs when breaking out of routes, but the toughness was on display during his 17-yard touchdown against Northern ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥. Patterson caught a screen pass near the UA sideline and bulldozed two NAU defenders for a touchdown — or as ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ offensive coordinator Dino Babers called it, “he just ran through the smokeâ€� and “accelerated through those two defenders, kept his feet and got into the end zone.â€�

“That’s all I needed to see. Now he made a big mistake, because he showed me that he can do it,� Babers said with a laugh. “Not allowed to tail off. You have to keep going from there. But I think we’ve got a really exciting player. I think the community and the football team is really excited he’s a part of us.�

Patterson is also one of ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s top return specialists this season, with four punt returns for 29 yards and six kick returns for 138 yards. Since Treydan Stukes is also on special teams, Patterson has to wear a number 83 jersey, a baggier, retro-looking top in comparison to his fitted number 2 jersey.

“If they ask me to put in on again, I’m just going to do what they’re asking me to do,� Patterson said. “I just want to play ball and do my job.�

The ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ coaches are “really encouraged by him.â€�

“I think he’s going to be a really good player for us,� Brennan said. “I think he’s going to get better the more he plays. The way he approaches practice and workouts, he’s definitely dead serious about his process and improving every day. ... It’s awesome to see him do the things he’s doing, and I’m excited for his future here.�

Patterson’s work ethic stems from his mother, Carolina, who is a daycare worker and looks after children. Patterson’s mother “watched me so she was like my first teacher,â€� said the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ wide receiver, who is the youngest of six children.

“My mom is a really hard worker. My work ethic comes from her,� Patterson said. “I always try to focus on getting better every day and focus on what I can do to improve. I’ve been through a lot in my life. When adversity hits, that’s when I’m at my best.�

Through two games, Patterson flashed his ability as a reliable pass-catcher and looks to have a prominent role in the offense this season.

“My experience has been great. ... I’m grateful to be here and it’s a great opportunity,� Patterson said.

“Ever since I’ve been out here, it just felt like home. I miss home, but this is my second home. It’s great to be here.�

Extra points

• Brennan, on the ESPN+ commentary of Tetairoa McMillan’s body language in his two-catch, 11-yard performance against NAU, a week after setting the program record for single-game receiving yards (304): “I actually thought T-Mac handled it pretty well. I think everybody was frustrated for stretches of that game. I think it’s important for everybody for our — and more importantly, our leaders — that their body language has influence and guys feed off of that, whether it’s positive or negative. Again, that’s something that’s in our control and something we coach really hard that we want guys to respond the right way to.â€�
• Tucson native and former ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ defensive back Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles recorded his first-career NFL interception in the San Francisco 49ers’ win over the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. Flannigan-Fowles, now a linebacker, is in his fifth season with the Niners. Flannigan-Fowles is one of four Tucsonans in the NFL, along with Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, Broncos defensive back Levi Wallace and Packers rookie offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.