The NFL aspirations of UB star running back Jaret Patterson are so close he can almost feel it — anxious — excited — all the emotions are there as he heads toward the NFL Draft.

"It’s definitely a dream come true because you work so hard," Patterson said. "You put the work in to sacrifice and you get to see your dreams come true."

Patterson pounded opposing teams in a dominating career at UB. If it’s production on the field that matters — it’s hard to find a running back who put up numbers like he did. Three straight 1000 yard seasons (nearly 1800 in 2019) — and back-to-back years with 19 rushing touchdowns.

Last season — he was particularly dominant, accomplishing that feat in only six games while averaging 7.6 yards per carry. It included a combined 710 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns over two games against Bowling Green and Kent State.

Patterson decided to leave college, and his twin brother James (a fellow UB football player) after his junior season to go to the NFL. 

The stats speak for themselves.

"Just seeing what I did production-wise, it wasn’t my fault that Power 5 conferences weren’t knocking on my door in high school," Patterson said. "I just got the opportunity to go the University at Buffalo and I took full advantage of that."

With that type of performance, Patterson feels like he should be ranked right up there with the top running backs in this year’s draft class.  His size — 5'6 tall — perceived level of competition in the Mid-American Conference, and lack of usage in the passing game at UB are likely keeping him from that status.  Still, he’s been overlooked in the past, so it’s something that fuels him.

"I took full advantage of the cards I was dealt with and I definitely feel like I'm up there with those guys if not better," he said. "I’ve always had that kind of title. That underdog title mentality, so I’m going to stick to that because that’s what got me to this point."

Patterson believes any team that lands him is getting a playmaker. He compares himself to other backs with similar stature who've had NFL success — like Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice — even the great Barry Sanders.  To him, it doesn’t matter if he’s drafted in the third round or the seventh round, he’s ready to show it on the field.

"My mindset going into this thing is it’s not how you get in, it’s how you stay in. And I truly believe that," he said.

Proving the doubters wrong every step of the way, so why change now?