A fast and physical linebacker with off-the-chart athletic ability... Has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40 and runs more like a wide receiver than a big-hitting linebacker... Joins several former NEO teammates at K-State.

Junior college (Joliet): Started in his only season with the Wolves... Helped lead Joliet Junior College to a 7-4 record in 2006, a Midwest Football Conference East Division regular season title and a berth in the Graphic Edge Bowl... Closed out the regular season with 34 total tackles, including two sacks... Also had three interceptions and a forced fumble... Named second team All-NJCAA Region IV and second team All-Midwest Conference... Coached by Tom Minnick.

Junior college (NEO): Rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 22 junior college player in the nation by Rivals.com in the class of 2006... Started all 11 games during 2005 and helped lead the Golden Norseman to a 9-3 record and a victory over Mississippi Golf Coast in the Dalton Defenders Bowl... Led the Southwest Junior College Football Conference with three blocked punts... Finished fourth in the conference with 105 tackles, including 54 unassisted stops... Also collected 12 tackles for losses, seven pass breakups, three interceptions and one fumble recovery... Earned first team NJCAA All-America honors and first team all-conference accolades... Redshirted in 2004... Coached by Rob Green.

High School: Started all four years at Hubbard High School.... Ranked as a five-star prospect and the nation's No. 15 overall player by Rivals.com as a high school senior... Received four stars and was rated as the country’s No. 7 linebacker by Scout.com... Considered to be the nation’s No. 3 outside linebacker prospect by Rivals at the time... Played in 2004 U.S. Army High School All-American game... Named second team All-American in 2003 by USA Today... Earned first team all-state, all-area and all-city honors (all classes) from both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune as a junior and senior... Started at defensive end as a freshman and sophomore before moving to middle linebacker position for his final two seasons... Led the Greyhounds to a 10-3 record in 2003... Totaled 106 tackles, 13 sacks and two interceptions as a junior in 2002... Helped Hubbard to an 11-1 record and a state quarterfinal appearance as a sophomore in 2002... Team advanced to the state semifinals and ended the 2001 season with a 10-2 mark... Coached by Elton Harris... Originally signed with Oklahoma in the class of 2004... Also wrestled as a prep.

Personal: Chris Patterson was born July 1, 1985, in Chicago, Ill... Son of Christine Patterson... Originally signed with Oklahoma in 2004.