Patchan Presser: Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes

Heralded Armwood offensive lineman Matt Patchan committed to the Florida Gators on Saturday. He chose them over Miami. Here are some extra notes from Patchan’s press conference:

-Mike Pearson, a former Armwood and Gator All-American who played in the NFL, was on hand. He helped coach the Hawks last spring, and worked one-on-one with Patchan in practice. “(Florida and Miami) are both great schools,” he said. “You can’t go wrong with either one. But it’s great for Gator Country. We just got another top player.” When comparing himself to Patchan, Pearson said: Athletically, “he’s heads and shoulders above where I was.”

-Patchan plans to wear No. 71 with the Gators. His father wore the same number at Miami in the late 1980s.

-Patchan said he informed Miami coach Randy Shannon of his decision to attend Florida about 45 minutes before his 1:30 p.m. press conference. “I told him that I respected their program, but that I think Florida offers a little more right now,” Patchan said.

-Florida plays Miami at Florida Field on Sept. 6. Patchan and his mother, Deanne, have different takes on that game. Of it, Patchan said “It’ll be like every other game I’ve played in.” Mom wasn’t as excited about her son playing against the team her husband once played for. “I’m gonna be sick to my stomach,” she said.

-Scott Patchan, Matt’s 10-year-old brother, walked around doing the Gator chomp after his brother’s big announcement. To say the least, he’s a little excited about his Matt’s pick. “I’m really looking forward to Matt playing with the QB (Tim Tebow) who won the Heisman Trophy,” Matt said.

-Not only did Patchan’s father play at Miami, so did his uncle. Dan Mariscal, a linebacker for the ‘Canes in the 1980s, is the brother of Matt’s mom.

-Patchan’s father, Matt Patchan III, had no problem that his son spurned his alma mater in favor of the Gators. “It’s very exciting,” he said. “As a father, I feel so blessed.”

-Deanne Patchan said the family bonded with every Gator coach. But her favorite is offensive line coach Steve Addazio. “I love him,” she said. “I know he’s going to take care of Matt.”

-Armwood linebacker Petey Smith, whom some recruiting services rank among the top 100 juniors in the country, was there to support his teammate. Petey’s brother, Hawks running back Eric Smith, who is deciding between Auburn and Clemson, also was on hand. “We’re here to support Matt and to show we’ve got his back wherever he goes,” Petey said.

-Petey Smith said he could tell the recruiting process was wearing on Patchan toward the end. “We’d go places and someone would always come up and say, ‘Where are you going?’” Petey said. “I know he’s kind of tired of it.”

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

[florida flop]

Thank you florida for choosing another Armwood bust. Torri Davis did so good last year they had to move Pouncy to DT. keep picking up these over-rated Armwood busts! I hope patchan makes Paraide All American so we can all have a HUGE laugh..The last #71 armwood sent Florida was FSU'S Micheal Boulware's full time h0

[Mike]

So funny, I remember everyone talking trash about Percy Harvin's "bad attitude" a couple of years ago. See, the thing is at UF these players are taught the importance of "TEAM". So to all of you who are bashing Matt now, Check him out in the 2009 BCS Champ0ionship game. Oh, In Miami!!

[Gator fan]

Welcome to UF Matt. We look forward to watching you make big plays in big games for the Gators.

[Coach Taylor]

Matt,

Congrats on your choice! You will be a success at ANY program. You put lots of thought and consideration into your choice and now you can move forward and continue to work to make yourself the best player you can be!

[Dan]

Great to see you are a Gator, Matt! I'm sure you are excited about playing in front of 90,000+ Gator fans instead of Miami's 30-40,000 fans that show up.

We have more people show up for our Spring game than Miami does for a regular season game.

[GatorJoe]

some of these comments are ridiculous...Congrats Matt on a great decision! To the Miami fans, maybe he looked at the 15,000 fans at the last game in the Orange Bowl and realized that the experience he wanted was something a bit different...like 90,000 in big-time SEC matchups...look for those crowds to shrink with the move a half hour north....high school games will draw better...no one needs to sign up for that even if their parents did go there...you always want better for your kids...

Matt, congrats. You are a great young man and did what YOU thought was best for YOU. Regardless of what school you picked, you did the picking. Can't wait to see a second Armwood player wearing #71 for the Gators. See ya at the Orange and Blue game. GO GATORS!!!

It is more likely Patchen knew the co-Canes have fans like "ss" and decided he'd have nothing to do with Miami (except to help pound them into submission at The Swamp).

As for Randy Shannon stating anything about recruiting, remember this -- you know Shannon is lying when his lips are moving. Hey -- when did his best friend get shot in Gainesville?? There's nothing like a high-integrity loser like Randy Shannon to get that ship sinking a little faster! Why would Patchen have an obligation to go down with it?

Epic recruiting class for UM? Please. They lose Patchan and now lose Patrick Johnson, who just three weeks ago said he was 90 percent committed to Miami.

Enjoy scraping your way to .500, if you stay out of jail that is.

"Now I am not saying that this is what went down, but I am saying that this is what I have been hearing for months. If so, he is better off in Gainesville where that type of philosophy is much better tolerated."

I'll bet you have never even set foot in Gainesville, let alone lived there. Must be relying on your "sources" for that kind of info lol

Anyone see the UM and Florida International fight last season? I guess all of the Canes fans can explain away why a parent would want their kid to play for a team that is best known for its associations with Gangster rap, violence and drugs.

Considering that Coach Shannon cannot coach his way out of a shoebox.... and lied that his friend was killed while attending school at UF to make the point that UM players getting killed happens everywhere... meanwhile in the past 17 years between accidents and shootings...

RIP Brian Pata
RIP Al Blades
RIP Chris Campbell
RIP Kevin Gibbs
RIP Shane Curry
RIP Jerome Brown
RIP Marlin Barnes
RIP Robert Woodus
RIP Marlin Barnes
RIP Sean Taylor

Also last year: Willie Cooper shot in the butt. His teammate Brandon Meriweather returns fire.

“We’re targets because we play for the University of Miami. ... These guys, they know who we are,” Miami linebacker Jon Beason said shortly after the Cooper shooting.

As the Miami Dolphins are not being killed off by Miami, I can't see the link between where the Canes are located, rather that they lack institutional control.

I agree. i don't even know the kid but he should be able to choose without all of this. good luck

AMEN TO THAT
WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FUNNY HOW THESE PEOPLE REALLY THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE A SAY IN A TEENAGERS FUTURE OR CHOICES.

MYOB PEOPLE

what makes you all think it is any of your buisness? WIll it make a difference in your futre? Will it change you life? Doubtful but it will his. Imagine that he being able to choice whats best for him and everyone be happy for him. No you asssssssss who think your opinion matters has to ruin this. GROW UP AND MOVE ON PEOPLE YOUR OPINION REALLY DOESN'T MATTER TO ANYONE BUT YOU.

Cheap shot classes punk will never amount to anything if class or loyalty counts.

[CB]

I think he saw enough of Shannon's abilities and wanted no part of that sinking ship.

Good luck in Gainesville Matt. Yuor parents obviously raised you better than some people on this bbg were raised.

[Coach D]

Congrats Matt! We're proud of you!

[Pat]

I know Matt and his parents and they are a great family. Good luck Matt!!! GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!! can't wait to see you in that number 71.

AMEN

[tom]

ralph ortega - an all american linebacker at florida - his son buck played for miami - ralph is still a gator , his son is a cane - not that big a deal - get over it,

what has he done that ever other senior with multiple offers has done
1. looked at all options
2. picked they one that best fits them

oh yeah that must be it. looking at his own future thats it he should be thinking about everyone else first.

[tlhhtl]

Wow...you people really need to get a life....this decision wasn't about you or the "U"...it's about Matt...look at your own character before ragging on a 17 year old kid.

they are just mad they don't get you
take it as a compliment and go gators

[UpNorth Cane]

Lol yea don't listen to Miami Fans who call it how it is Matt you are a sell out from the sound of it i rather have your mom dress up for us then u anyday she sounds like a true Cane

sell out....straight front runner

[ma]

don't listen to the bs.
good luck
do whats best for you and go wherever the best offer is.

[Sensi]

Matt,

You called out the U and everybody loved your honesty, and then you spurn the U for the Gators...Man...good luck with that...You are marked and come Sept 6 the canes will come chopping.

[UpNorth Cane]

LOl Poor Matt Patchan....u grow up a cane fan your Father and Uncle played there, apparently u have made your mom sick to her stomach because she loves the U and you chose florida....i just hate whenkids say they grew up fans die hard fans of a team and then turn their back on there childhood team and say another school offers a lil more rite now