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Patchan Makes Mark On Defense

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By MICK ELLIOTT

melliott@tampatrib.com

Published: October 23, 2008

Updated: 10/23/2008 01:22 am

GAINESVILLE - Although Matt Patchan came out of Armwood High ranked among the nation's top offensive line prospects, he did not hesitate to grant a preseason request by University of Florida coaches to move across the line to defensive tackle.

"Football is football," Patchan said. "Whatever is best for the team I'll do."

As the Gators (5-1, 3-1 SEC) prepare for Saturday's homecoming game against Kentucky, Patchan has done quite a bit.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound freshman is getting extensive playing time behind starter Terron Sanders, and he is contributing to surprising success by the defensive line.

He has appeared in all six of Florida's games and has four tackles, including a sack.

Offense To Defense

Offensive linemen are big and strong but play as tacticians, using leverage, angles and intelligence.

Defensive linemen are big and strong and operate in attack mode, always thinking seek and destroy.

At least that's what most people would think.

"It's wrong," Patchan says. "As a defensive player, obviously, your first step is reading the ball, but then you have to have great reaction. You have to read everybody's steps and decide where you are going to go. As opposed to offense, where the two things you have that's an advantage over the defender - you know the snap count, and you know what you are going to do on the play."

Making The Move

Coach Urban Meyer's first consideration before asking Patchan to move to defense was not whether he had the physical tools.

"There are certain offensive players that can't play defense - sometimes, there is a passive mentality, but not here," Meyer said. "He's very aggressive, very relentless. It was a natural change. He's a guy who can play defense for a long time."

Best Advice

Wise words from father Matt Sr., a standout lineman at Miami, kept things in focus during the recruiting process.

"He told me, 'You are not as good as you think you are. You got all these people kissing your butt right now. As soon as you are on campus you're just another floater in the water. You are going to get beat up on. But work every day and you will get better. You'll go from winning one rep each day to winning two, and every day you will keep getting better, and eventually you will shine.'"

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