Jaret Patterson Bio
Jaret Patterson (born December 23, 1998) is an American professional football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing around 195 pounds, Patterson has carved out a career through perseverance after going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft. He is best known for his record-tying eight rushing touchdowns in a single college game and his persistent climb through practice squad contracts to reach an active NFL roster.
Born in Glenn Dale, Maryland, Patterson built his reputation at the University at Buffalo, where he became one of the most decorated running backs in Mid-American Conference history. His journey from a lightly recruited high school senior to a record-setting college star and eventual NFL player reflects both his physical talent and his resilience in a league that often tests the patience of undersized backs.
Early Life and Background
Jaret Patterson was born on December 23, 1998, in Glenn Dale, Maryland. He grew up in a competitive athletic environment, sharing his football dreams with his twin brother, James Patterson, who would also become a college football player. The twins trained and competed together throughout their youth, pushing each other to improve in both speed and football IQ.
Patterson attended St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel, Maryland, where he played football alongside future NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young. During his senior season, he rushed for 2,045 yards and scored 23 touchdowns, including a remarkable 558 all-purpose yard performance against Riverdale Baptist School. His efforts earned him an All-State Honorable Mention recognition, though he was not as heavily recruited as his twin brother.
The Patterson brothers ultimately committed to the University at Buffalo to play in the Mid-American Conference, accepting the offer as a package deal so they could continue their careers together. This decision set the stage for one of the most productive rushing careers in conference history.
Path to American Football
Patterson and his brother grayshirted during the fall of 2017, delaying their enrollment before joining the Buffalo Bulls full-time for spring practice in 2018. The decision allowed Patterson to develop physically and adjust to the speed of the college game before his true freshman season. By the time he took the field, he was already considered one of the most intriguing young backs in the Mid-American Conference.
His freshman campaign in 2018 produced 1,013 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, a debut that earned him the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year award. He also earned Second-team All-MAC honors, confirming that the grayshirt year had paid off. By his sophomore season, Patterson was widely regarded as the conference’s premier running back prospect.
Jaret Patterson Career
Early Career (2019)
In 2019, Patterson authored one of the best individual seasons by a running back in Buffalo Bulls history. He rushed for a single-season school record 1,799 yards and added 19 rushing touchdowns, also a school record. He led the Mid-American Conference in rushing yards and ranked fifth nationally, earning First-team All-MAC recognition for his dominant play.
Patterson capped the season with a memorable performance in the 2019 Bahamas Bowl, rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns to lead Buffalo to its first bowl victory in program history. His efforts earned him the game’s offensive MVP award, cementing his status as one of the conference’s brightest stars heading into his junior year.
Buffalo Bulls Breakthrough (2020)
Patterson’s junior season reached its peak on November 28, 2020, when he tied Howard Griffith’s NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision record with eight rushing touchdowns against the Kent State Golden Flashes in a 70-41 victory. He finished that historic game with 36 carries for 409 yards, falling just 18 yards short of the FBS single-game rushing record set by Samaje Perine in 2014. The performance immediately elevated his national profile and put him on NFL radar screens across the league.
Following the regular season, Patterson was named the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year and received the Vern Smith Leadership Award as the conference’s most valuable player. A knee issue forced him to sit out Buffalo’s appearance in the 2020 Camellia Bowl, but he had already done enough to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft following his junior year.
Washington Football Team Era (2021-2022)
After going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Patterson signed with the Washington Football Team on May 3, 2021. His strong 2021 preseason performance earned praise from head coach Ron Rivera and helped him secure a spot on the team’s final roster ahead of veteran Peyton Barber. He entered his rookie season listed as the third running back behind Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic.
Patterson made his professional debut in Week 1 of the 2021 season with two rushes for nine yards. By Week 8, he posted season-highs with eleven rushing attempts and 46 rushing yards. In Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded his first career touchdown on a one-yard carry. He earned his first career start in Week 17 against the same Eagles team, finishing with 57 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 41 receiving yards. He was waived on August 30, 2022, and spent most of that season on the practice squad before being activated late in the year, ultimately leading the team with 17 carries and 78 rushing yards in the regular-season finale.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2023-Present)
Patterson’s first stint with the Los Angeles Chargers began on September 13, 2023, when he was signed to the team’s practice squad. He was released on December 20, 2023, and briefly returned to the Washington Commanders’ practice squad before becoming a free agent at season’s end. On January 10, 2024, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers and was waived on August 29 before re-signing to the practice squad.
He was elevated to the Chargers’ active roster on December 7, 2024, appearing in one special teams play against the Kansas City Chiefs the following day. Patterson signed another reserve/future contract on January 13, 2025, but was released with an injury settlement on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 14, promoted to the active roster on November 29, waived on December 8 following Omarion Hampton’s return from injury, and re-promoted to the active roster on December 23.
Notable Events and Milestones
Patterson’s most iconic moment came on November 28, 2020, when he tied the FBS single-game record with eight rushing touchdowns against Kent State. His 409 rushing yards in that game rank among the highest single-game totals in NCAA history. He also holds the Buffalo Bulls’ single-season rushing yardage and rushing touchdown records, marks he set in 2019.
Jaret Patterson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jaret Patterson grew up alongside his twin brother, James Patterson, who also played college football at the University at Buffalo. The two were recruited as a package deal and remained teammates throughout their college careers, supporting each other’s development on and off the field.
Personal Life
Patterson is known publicly for his dedication to the game and his close bond with his twin brother, with whom he shares much of his athletic journey. He maintains an active social media presence and is represented online by his Twitter and Instagram accounts under his playing name.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season has been a roller coaster for Jaret Patterson and the Los Angeles Chargers. He signed a reserve/future contract in January 2025 in hopes of competing for a roster spot, but was released with an injury settlement in late August during final roster cuts. The Chargers re-signed him to the practice squad on October 14, recognizing his value as a dependable depth piece and special teams contributor.
On November 29, Patterson was promoted back to the active roster, only to be waived nine days later on December 8 when rookie running back Omarion Hampton returned from injury. The Chargers re-signed him to the practice squad two days later, then promoted him once more on December 23, highlighting the organization’s continued belief in his skills despite the constant roster movement.
Looking ahead, Patterson’s path to a stable role on the Chargers will depend on his health, his production on special teams, and any opportunity that arises in the backfield. His resilience and willingness to contribute in any capacity have made him a respected presence in the locker room, even as he continues to fight for a permanent place on the active roster.