Hokies Offer 2016 Safety Phillip Patterson, Quin Blanding's Successor at Bayside HS

Two years ago, the Hokies lost out on one of the best prospects in Virginia, and nationally, when safety Quin Blanding of Virginia Beach's Bayside HS signed with rival Virginia.

Now, the program has a chance to win over Blanding's direct successor at Bayside. The coaching staff has taken a keen interest in junior Phillip Patterson, rated a 3-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite rankings, offering him a scholarship on January 21.

"On defense, he really filled the void left by Quin Blanding, just because we needed someone to play free safety the way we do at Bayside, and he's been great," said Jonathan White, Bayside's head coach.

White says the Marlins' scheme requires a strong leader in the secondary with a solid command of the defense, and Patterson has made the transition after Blanding's departure as seamless as possible.

"Our defense is deductive, so he makes all our coverage calls," White said. "I knew he would be special, it's not a surprise he's getting this interest."

His performance in his junior season seems to have caught the eye of Tech defensive backs coach Torrian Gray, who first contacted White about wanting to offer Patterson.

"Coach White told me about the offer, and I was just so excited, I didn't expect it at all," Patterson said. "It's a blessing. I definitely like the Hokies."

Patterson says he's never been to Blacksburg, but part of the reason he's already intrigued about the program is that word about the intensity in Lane Stadium certainly gets around.

"Everyone says the atmosphere there is live, the stadium is really exciting for a game," Patterson said.

That early interest in Tech meant that he was more than willing to listen when Gray said the Hokies were looking at him, but part of his surprise about the offer likely stemmed from the fact that Gray, not area recruiter Bryan Stinespring, was the one approaching him.

Patterson also plays wide receiver for Bayside, but he says Gray took the lead in his recruiting after determining that he'd be best suited on the defensive side of the ball if he were to come to Tech.

"I'm a pretty tall guy, and he said they liked my length, that I can go up and get the ball," Patterson said.

The junior does have the type of size requisite for a Tech safety, standing at 6'2" and 170 pounds, but White says he certainly has the skills to also play on offense if need be.

"He was our offensive co-MVP, we ran the offense through him," White said. "He was massive for us."

Patterson's versatility has attracted the attention of several other ACC schools as well. The junior says he hears most from Wake Forest and Duke, which have both offered him.

However, he seems to be taking the Hokies seriously and plans to visit campus in the next few months.

"I'm definitely planning on camping there this summer," Patterson said.

But before he loses yet another veteran leader to the college ranks, White wants to focus on maximizing Patterson's numerous talents for one last year.

"I just want him to finish off the proper way," White said. "We want to build around him and finish off on top. Maybe we can go to the state semifinals or even the state championship. I'd just love to see him go out with a bang."