Patterson Bringing Experience to the Defensive Backfield
Apr 07, 2026 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Kaleb Patterson is the oldest player in a Kansas State cornerback room that features a pair of talented returners in juniors Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh, and that includes promise for the future with three redshirt freshmen and two true freshmen.
The 22-year-old senior transfer from Illinois, who arrived at K-State after his second season with the Illini, brings 22 games of official playing experience (he also played four games as a sophomore in 2023 before retaining his redshirt) and 15 career starts to the Wildcats, and the 6-foot-1, 186-pound native of Jackson, Mississippi, is ready to work.
"It's been a blessing for sure," Patterson said. "I came here because of the great coaching staff and environment. It's a place I can come in and be better and develop as a man and as a player as well.
"There's new stuff going into (the defensive playbook) and it's a learning curve for everybody, but we're getting it done."
K-State is Patterson's third stop in a college career that began after the Mississippi High School Activities Association named him as 6A Defensive Back of the Year in 2022 out of Terry High School, and he starred at Pearl River Community College as a freshman. Viewed as the 38th-best overall community college prospect and the fifth-best community college safety in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports, Patterson chose to go to Illinois and played in four games as a sophomore against Iowa, Maryland, Wisconsin and Minnesota before retaining his redshirt.
Patterson earned a full-time starting spot in 2024 and finished with 31 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery over 564 defensive snaps. He had a career-high five tackles against Kansas and four tackles in three other games, including four tackles against South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl.
However, Patterson started just three times in 2025 while playing in 10 games, and his defensive snaps dropped to 216 over the season, as he finished with 15 tackles, one pass breakup and two fumble recoveries.
Still, he was considered a significant catch for a FBS team, as the highly ranked defensive back garnered a transfer rating of 86.50. In 2024, he earned a top-5 tackling grade among cornerbacks from Pro Football Focus.
On January 5, Patterson announced on Instagram that he had committed to K-State and first-year head coach Collin Klein.
He's eager for the opportunity to show K-State fans his talents across the field in the fall.
"I'm a smart, physical player," Patterson said, "and I'm someone who's going to get to the ball and be around the ball and make plays."
Following a spring practice late last week, Patterson shared his gratitude toward Klein with reporters in the Vanier Family Football Complex.
"(Klein) is a great head coach for sure," Patterson said. "I like everything he stands for, what he believes in, and how he pours into the team. You couldn't ask for anything better from a head coach. He's the same guy every day. He's just going to give you his all."
Patterson is giving it his all on the practice field for a defense that is quickly building an identity.
"We're just some dawgs, man," Patterson said. "Just flying to the ball and relentless. No matter good or bad, we're able to withstand and hold it down."
As for competition among the eight cornerbacks? That remains ongoing.
"The competition is there every day," Patterson said. "We're pushing each other to be better every day. It's good getting to know those guys, seeing how they play, and pick each other's brain and help each other grow how we need to for the season.
"It's a new system for everybody. For the culture, the standard of the culture, I've leaned on Zashon and Donovan because they've been here. They've pulled me along and have shown me the ropes a little bit."
Rich started all 12 games last season and recorded 57 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and 11 pass breakups en route to earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades. His 12 total passes defended tied for third in the Big 12 and his 11 pass breakups were the most at K-State since Duke Shelley had as many in 2017.
McIntosh had 33 tackles, one interception and five pass breakups while playing in 11 games with seven starts last season.
They've taken turns being tested by returning senior quarterback Avery Johnson in practice.
"Hey, man, that guy's a freak," Patterson said. "I'm not going to lie. He can do some crazy things. It's good, good competition, and it's good to go against him every day to only just get better."
While Johnson, running back Joe Jackson, and tight end Linkon Cure show their skills, there are three wide receivers in particular that Patterson believes could also give defensive backs headaches in the fall.
"All of them are pretty good," Patterson said. "Of course, Jaron Tibbs, and Derrick Salley Jr. is a big guy for sure, and Josh Manning, man, there are some good cats for sure."
The K-State defense is led by new defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson, who is also a defensive backs guru, and who spent the previous two seasons guiding standout defenses at Texas A&M while Klein served as offensive coordinator. While Jeremiah Johnson coaches the safeties, the cornerback room is led by Marcel Yates, a late addition to the coaching staff.
Yates came to K-State after he had six players from his defensive secondaries earn All-Big 12 honors during his tenure as passing game coordinator and defensive secondary coach at Texas Tech from 2022 to 2024. Yates has helped to send 11 defensive backs to the NFL Draft, including six in the first four rounds.
"Our coaches are characters," Patterson said. "They bring that energy every day. They're great guys to be around. They're great teachers and leaders as well. Coach Yates is a good coach. He's coming in and teaching us and giving us all he has. He's pouring into us."
Things continue to move forward in spring practice — sweat, competition and all.
"It's been a grind for sure," Patterson said, "but at the end of the day, it's going to pay off when it comes time for the season."
Kaleb Patterson is the oldest player in a Kansas State cornerback room that features a pair of talented returners in juniors Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh, and that includes promise for the future with three redshirt freshmen and two true freshmen.
The 22-year-old senior transfer from Illinois, who arrived at K-State after his second season with the Illini, brings 22 games of official playing experience (he also played four games as a sophomore in 2023 before retaining his redshirt) and 15 career starts to the Wildcats, and the 6-foot-1, 186-pound native of Jackson, Mississippi, is ready to work.
"It's been a blessing for sure," Patterson said. "I came here because of the great coaching staff and environment. It's a place I can come in and be better and develop as a man and as a player as well.
"There's new stuff going into (the defensive playbook) and it's a learning curve for everybody, but we're getting it done."
K-State is Patterson's third stop in a college career that began after the Mississippi High School Activities Association named him as 6A Defensive Back of the Year in 2022 out of Terry High School, and he starred at Pearl River Community College as a freshman. Viewed as the 38th-best overall community college prospect and the fifth-best community college safety in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports, Patterson chose to go to Illinois and played in four games as a sophomore against Iowa, Maryland, Wisconsin and Minnesota before retaining his redshirt.
Patterson earned a full-time starting spot in 2024 and finished with 31 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery over 564 defensive snaps. He had a career-high five tackles against Kansas and four tackles in three other games, including four tackles against South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl.
However, Patterson started just three times in 2025 while playing in 10 games, and his defensive snaps dropped to 216 over the season, as he finished with 15 tackles, one pass breakup and two fumble recoveries.
Still, he was considered a significant catch for a FBS team, as the highly ranked defensive back garnered a transfer rating of 86.50. In 2024, he earned a top-5 tackling grade among cornerbacks from Pro Football Focus.
On January 5, Patterson announced on Instagram that he had committed to K-State and first-year head coach Collin Klein.
He's eager for the opportunity to show K-State fans his talents across the field in the fall.
"I'm a smart, physical player," Patterson said, "and I'm someone who's going to get to the ball and be around the ball and make plays."
Following a spring practice late last week, Patterson shared his gratitude toward Klein with reporters in the Vanier Family Football Complex.
"(Klein) is a great head coach for sure," Patterson said. "I like everything he stands for, what he believes in, and how he pours into the team. You couldn't ask for anything better from a head coach. He's the same guy every day. He's just going to give you his all."
Patterson is giving it his all on the practice field for a defense that is quickly building an identity.
"We're just some dawgs, man," Patterson said. "Just flying to the ball and relentless. No matter good or bad, we're able to withstand and hold it down."
As for competition among the eight cornerbacks? That remains ongoing.
"The competition is there every day," Patterson said. "We're pushing each other to be better every day. It's good getting to know those guys, seeing how they play, and pick each other's brain and help each other grow how we need to for the season.
"It's a new system for everybody. For the culture, the standard of the culture, I've leaned on Zashon and Donovan because they've been here. They've pulled me along and have shown me the ropes a little bit."
Rich started all 12 games last season and recorded 57 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and 11 pass breakups en route to earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades. His 12 total passes defended tied for third in the Big 12 and his 11 pass breakups were the most at K-State since Duke Shelley had as many in 2017.
McIntosh had 33 tackles, one interception and five pass breakups while playing in 11 games with seven starts last season.
They've taken turns being tested by returning senior quarterback Avery Johnson in practice.
"Hey, man, that guy's a freak," Patterson said. "I'm not going to lie. He can do some crazy things. It's good, good competition, and it's good to go against him every day to only just get better."
While Johnson, running back Joe Jackson, and tight end Linkon Cure show their skills, there are three wide receivers in particular that Patterson believes could also give defensive backs headaches in the fall.
"All of them are pretty good," Patterson said. "Of course, Jaron Tibbs, and Derrick Salley Jr. is a big guy for sure, and Josh Manning, man, there are some good cats for sure."
The K-State defense is led by new defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson, who is also a defensive backs guru, and who spent the previous two seasons guiding standout defenses at Texas A&M while Klein served as offensive coordinator. While Jeremiah Johnson coaches the safeties, the cornerback room is led by Marcel Yates, a late addition to the coaching staff.
Yates came to K-State after he had six players from his defensive secondaries earn All-Big 12 honors during his tenure as passing game coordinator and defensive secondary coach at Texas Tech from 2022 to 2024. Yates has helped to send 11 defensive backs to the NFL Draft, including six in the first four rounds.
"Our coaches are characters," Patterson said. "They bring that energy every day. They're great guys to be around. They're great teachers and leaders as well. Coach Yates is a good coach. He's coming in and teaching us and giving us all he has. He's pouring into us."
Things continue to move forward in spring practice — sweat, competition and all.
"It's been a grind for sure," Patterson said, "but at the end of the day, it's going to pay off when it comes time for the season."
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