TCU offensive guard Willis Patrick spent the 2023 college football campaign proving himself at the highest level. Once a dominant blocker at Angelo State and for the 2022 Jackson State Tigers, Patrick transferred to TCU to test his game against stiffer competition. Patrick is passing with flying colors.
Patrick recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about playing for Deion Sanders, with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, his abilities as a blocker, the 2024 NFL Draft, and so much more.
JM: It all started for you at Angelo State at the D-II level. In 2021, the program averaged 35.9 points per game and advanced to the quarterfinals. That was a dominant team. Do you feel like you were getting enough recognition at that level?
Willis Patrick: We blew up that season. That was my first official year as a starter. I started in 2020 as well, but we only played four games. It was an abbreviated schedule due to COVID-19. My first full year as a starter was in 2021.
I blew up. I won Offensive Linemen of the Year. I was a First-Team All-Conference and a First-Team All-American selection. Not to brag, but I won every award I could possibly win at the D-II level.
It was time for me to spread my wings. I knew I had the talent to play at a D-I level. Honestly and truthfully, I didn’t want to leave my brothers at Angelo State. I spent four seasons there. I didn’t want to leave.
Eventually, it came down to attempting to make my dream come true of playing in the NFL. The best thing was for me to be selfish in a way. I had to hit the portal and bet on myself.
JM: What do you most remember about your transfer to Jackson State in 2022? What a special team that was. You were a key starter on the 12-1 team that averaged 37.7 points per game.
Willis Patrick: I blew up in the portal. I had a lot of Power 5, Group of 5 offers. For me, I fell in love with the culture at Jackson State. I fell in love with a coaching staff that was headed by Coach Prime [Deion Sanders]. Really, they sold me on their great culture and atmosphere.
I knew that if I went to Jackson State as opposed to the Power 5, I didn’t want to end up at a program that had a bunch of guys in place already. Coach Prime sold me on the opportunity. They were going to give me playing time. I was going to play in front of NFL scouts. We were going to play nationally televised games. Jackson State was going to get me the exposure I needed.
It was a no-brainer for me to attend Jackson State. A lot of people were confused by my decision given that I had Power 5 offers and here I was choosing an HBCU in the FCS. I knew it was the best decision for me.
I came in and competed. I worked my way up to be a starter from the get-go. All I wanted was an opportunity. That’s what Coach Prime told me. His staff was true to their word. If I came in and put the work in, they had a spot for me.
I came in and hit the ground running. I arrived in June and was voted a team captain by the coaching staff and team in August. I was very blessed and fortunate. It was a testament to the work I put in every single day. It was a great experience. I loved every step of the way.
JM: What’s playing for coach Deion Sanders like?
Willis Patrick: I love Coach Prime. He’s a great guy. A lot of people see what he says and does on television. That’s not always a direct reflection of him. He’s a great salesman. He understands how to push his program.
We saw what Colorado did this season. Coach Prime took over a one-win team and they’re playing in big afternoon kickoff time slots now. They’ve played multiple primetime games this year. That’s a testament to Coach Prime and what he brings to the program. He makes sure his players are taken care of in all facets. He even paid for upgrades to the Jackson State facilities at the time.
He’s just a great man. I love him to death.
JM: What a team. What were your fondest memories or encounters with guys like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter?
Willis Patrick: Shedeur Sanders and I became very close friends. I made a lot of great friends in the offensive line room as well. My fondest memories will always be the simpler times. I remember all of the team meals and the great times we had together. We spent a lot of time hanging out as a team.
Shedeur Sanders has a great football mind. I learned a lot just from picking his brain. His success while transitioning from the FCS to the Power 5 hasn’t surprised me at all because of the way he prepares. He puts the work in. Picking his brain every day, watching film with him, was an amazing experience. We also did a lot of relaxing together. That’s my guy. I love him.
JM: You’ve now come full circle at TCU. You’ve started every game at right guard this season. Was that transfer about proving yourself at a higher level before entering the draft?
Willis Patrick: No sir, not necessarily. Honestly, it wasn’t. For me, it was about making a dream come true. TCU is a great program. It was actually my dream school coming out of high school. I’m from Grand Prairie, Texas. Obviously, I didn’t have that opportunity to attend TCU coming out of high school. I had to work my way here.
Of course, I knew I needed to prove that I could play against Power 5 competition. I was just hungry. I would have been hungry anywhere. The ability to attend a TCU program that was coming off a National Championship run represented an incredible opportunity.
I actually grew up with Steve Avila. He’s a great friend of mine. He played at TCU and he’s with the Los Angeles Rams now. He always raves about the TCU coaching staff. He told me so many great things.
Coach A.J. Ricker, my offensive line coach, he’s an amazing coach. Coach Kaz Kazadi is an amazing strength and conditioning coach. For Steve Avila, my childhood best friend to rave about this staff, I knew I wanted to work with them. Avila loves and trusts this staff, so I did too.
Avila got so much better while working under coach Ricker. That was all I needed to hear. I made the great decision to attend TCU. I wanted to push myself and challenge myself even harder in a new environment. I got complacent at Jackson State at times. I got my hunger and drive back at TCU. I wasn’t satisfied with the payer I became. TCU is such a competitive environment. I got my hunger back.
JM: What’s been the biggest difference at TCU and FBS football compared to playing D-II or in the SWAC?
Willis Patrick: Honestly, there hasn’t been much of a difference. I get this question a lot. I never felt overwhelmed. I’ve never felt like the talent level was way better than what I saw at Angelo State or Jackson State. I always knew I belonged at this level. I always felt I could compete at this level. I just needed an opportunity to showcase it.
The biggest difference is the resources we have here at TCU compared to Angelo State and Jackson State. The training facilities, the food, the training tables, and so on. I talk to my teammates all the time about my previous experiences and we laugh about it.
At Angelo State, we didn’t stay at hotels and have pre-game meals. We’d meet up in the morning before a Saturday meeting and get ready to play ball (laughs). It’s come full circle for me. The resources at my disposal is definitely the biggest difference. That’s helped me improve my game at TCU.
JM: That’s an outstanding point. There’s talent everywhere, but the resources are different. You’re a mauler on film, an absolute road grader in the run game. How would you self-describe your approach?
Willis Patrick: My entire career up until this point, even dating back to high school, being a mauler in the run game has been my identity. I always try to play within myself while being physical. I fire out of my stance and move people off the ball.
I play hard in the run game. I was disappointed with myself because I didn’t feel like I did that enough at Jackson State. It was about recapturing that hunger at TCU. That’s been my focus.
Offensive line coach A.J. Ricker has been a big part of that. He put emphasis on my strength and finishing every play by playing through the whistle. He’s coached me up to ensure I’m reaching my potential. He’s taught me some amazing techniques. His coaching has taken me to a world beyond where I was. I can’t thank him enough. He’s played a huge role in my journey. I lost that identity at some point along the way. It’s been about getting back to being the physical road grader I’m known as. I’ve put a lot of good things on tape.
It’s not always about technique in the run game. Sometimes it’s about wanting to move another man through will, grit, strength, and finish. That’s what I wanted to put on tape this season. I’m playing within myself again.
JM: This has been outstanding. We’ve appreciated your time. In closing, why should a team use one of their draft picks on Willis Patrick?
Willis Patrick: I still have a lot to prove. I’m extremely hungry. I’m not yet a finished product. I’m always improving. I’ve played some good football this season. There’s so much more I have to learn. I’m looking forward to working with a great coaching staff at the next level. I’m still growing as a football player.
I’ve grown and transitioned at every level I’ve played at. I started from the bottom and I worked my way up to this level. I’m going to continue doing that in the NFL. I've proven I can adapt and change to any level.
I have so much left to prove. I have so much to offer. I’m not a finished product. I’m never satisfied. I’m a perfectionist. I know I’m going to continue getting better.
