Notre Dame Captain Jarrett Patterson Continuing to Push

Jarrett Patterson announced his return to Notre Dame on January 9th. 

The California native wanted to improve his draft stock, but also lead Notre Dame back to the College Football Playoff. 

Instead, Patterson has seen nothing but adversity as he tore a pec muscle during offseason workouts and then suffered a foot injury during preseason camp, which caused him to miss the season-opener at Ohio State. 

To make matters worse, Notre Dame then started the season 0-2, including a loss at home to Marshall, which prompted an emotional moment from the two-time captain following the game. 

"It wasn't about me," stated Patterson. "Just knowing how hard those guys worked and seeing the looks on their faces after the game, that kind of got me a little angry."

The moment of frustration isn't something Patterson is proud of, but he's not ashamed of it either as it was genuine emotion. 

"It's hard to see the heat I took after, but I can understand why people were upset, but it wasn't intended as disrespect to the university or to anyone or trying to be selfish," explained Patterson. "Coming back, I had very high expectations for this team, I still do. But at that moment is just like, it's just really disappointing." 

And yes, part of Patterson's emotion was due to the work he had put into being able to play in that game - and play hurt at that. 

The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder had spent months rehabbing only to suffer the foot injury and it got the best of him in the moment. 

"I had to kind of push through all that and knowing how hard I had to work just to even get back to that point to get ready," Patterson said. "I think up until that Marshall game, I only had like 12 or 13 practices on the year. So just knowing how hard the rehab - I feel like I had been doing rehab since March, nonstop. 

"It's been a constant grind. But yeah, I think part of that just kind of built up, it was just frustration."

Patterson also learned from the moment. As a captain, Patterson is aware he's held to a higher standard and needs to set the example for the team. 

"I talked to Coach about it and he kind of understood where I'm coming from, but at the end of the day, he kind of asked how's that going to help solve anything," stated Patterson. "It's not. It's not gonna help solve any of the issues. 

"I knew that I had to lead and do the right example and kind of keep pushing the guys to go where they want to go." 

As for the foot injury, Patterson is on the mend, but he's not 100 percent and he knows it's likely something he'll have to manage throughout the year. 

"It's getting better," Patterson stated. "I think the first the first couple of weeks practicing and playing, it was just the recovery timeline was really hard. I think now it's kind of like, okay, it'd be sore at night and after games, but the recovery periods are a lot quicker now compared to when like halfway through the game, I started to feel it and after the game, even going to practice Tuesdays like, man, I still feel like it's hurting. So I think the biggest thing is just the time off has really helped." 

Notre Dame has also gone above and beyond for its All-American offensive lineman as they made adjustments to make sure Patterson is as comfortable as possible. 

"I have a whole crazy setup in my cleat, like I have a metal plate in there," stated Patterson. "I have like a special ultra custom insert to help keep my arch supported and a special tape job as well. 

"I kind of got the most expensive foot in the Gug. It's got a lot better. They've they're doing everything they can for me." 

With Notre Dame at 2-2, Patterson will now be tasked with leading the Irish this weekend in Las Vegas to get over .500.

Yet, Patterson isn't looking big picture as he's taken on Marcus Freeman's messaging about staying in the present. 

"We're kind of focused on Coach Freeman's message, not worried about the end results, just focusing on day by day, week by week, that's what matters the most and kind of being the program that he wants us to be," Patterson explained. "We're gonna keep pushing that."

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Ringer Quarter-Zip