Moved to linebacking position prior to spring drills after spending first two seasons as a safety ... Enjoyed smooth acclimation period that has allowed for high depth chart standing entering preseason camp ... Penciled in as a possible starter at one of the outside linebacking slots along with Pierre Bell or Lorenzo Osborne ... Exhibits plenty of quickness, verticality and a high-level of intensity to go along with a tall frame ... A personal and dynamic student-athlete who has enjoyed a high level of popularity with fans and media .. Produced 10 combined tackles in two spring scrimmages, booking five each during 3/28 and 4/4 contests ... Tallied four tackles during the weather-shortened '08 Purple-Gold Game. 2007: Redshirt freshman who experienced action in all 13 games ... Made one start (UCF) ... Recorded 20 tackles (five solo, 15 assists), which included two TFLs (-10 yards) ... Collected a career-best eight total tackles against No. 5 West Virginia ... Named special teams captain against UAB and Marshall ... First collegiate action came against No. 9 Va. Tech in the season opener ... vs. Va. Tech (9/1): Recorded three total tackles (solo, two assists) ... Credited with 1.5 TLFs (-7 yards) ... vs. UNC (9/8): Member of special teams unit - no stats ... vs. USM (9/15): Member of special teams unit ... Recorded one tackle (assist) ... vs. WVU (9/22): Recorded a career-best eight tackles (two solo, six assists) ... vs. Houston (9/29): Member of special teams unit ... Credited with two total stops (both assists) ... vs. UCF (10/6): Started first collegiate game at strong safety ... Tallied four total stops (two solo, two assists) ... Credited with a half TFL (-3 yards) ... vs. UTEP (10/13): Experienced action in a reserve role and on special teams - no stats ... vs. N.C. State (10/20): Experienced action in a reserve role and on special teams - no stats ... vs. UAB (10/27): Experienced action in a reserve role and on special teams - no stats ... vs. Memphis (11/3): Tallied two tackles (both assists) in a reserve role ... Member of special teams unit ... vs. Marshall (11/10): Experienced action on special teams unit - no stats ... vs. Tulane (11/24): Experienced action on special teams unit - no stats ... vs. Boise State (12/23): Experienced action on special teams unit - no stats. 2006: Redshirted ... Turned in notable performance on scout team as a true freshman ... Officially signed with Skip Holtz' program in February, 2006. High School: A three-year, two-way starter as a wide receiver and safety/linebacker at Sante Fe High School ... A three-time all-area selection (freshman, sophomore, junior) ... Named to all-state (second-team) unit in 2004 as a junior ... Registered 92 receptions for 1,635 yards and 16 touchdowns while booking 134 tackles during his prep career ... Did not play during his senior year (injury) ... Played in Raiders' run-oriented offense during first two years but still managed a combined 55 catches for 825 yards as a freshman and sophomore ... Picked up 25 catches for 310 yards and three scores in 2002 before adding 30 receptions for 515 yards and five TDs in 2003 ... Thrived with offensive scheme change prior to junior season, responding with 37 catches for 810 yards (eight touchdowns) ... Defensively, tallied seasonal tackle totals of 32 (freshman), 45 (sophomore) and 57 (junior) ... A CBS Sports All-Region choice in 2004 ... Listed among the top 50 wide receiver prospects out of Florida by SuperPrep Magazine ... Included among the top receiver prospects in the Southeast (region) by Prep Star Magazine ... Among the top 50 wide receivers and top 100 overall prospects in the state of Florida according to Rivals.com (pre and post-season selections) ... Also earned letters in basketball and track ... Strong student who possessed a 4.2 grade point average ... Coach was Scott Pritchett. Personal: Full name is Melvin Jerome Patterson ... Born November 29, 1987 at Gainesville, Fla. ... Cousin is former ECU cornerback Kasey Ross ... Major is marketing ... Earned selection to the 2006-07 and 2007-08 ECU Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Dean's List/fall, Honor Roll/spring). |
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