Meet Natrez Patrick, Georgia LB prospect and redemption story
| April 28, 2019 03:59PM |
[draftwire.usatoday.com]
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Meet Natrez Patrick, Georgia LB prospect and redemption story
By: Justin Melo | April 10, 2019 12:57 pm ET
It could have easily gone a different way for Georgia linebacker Natrez Patrick. But after an intervention from those closest to him, the SEC defender is ready to be an NFL star instead of a cautionary tale.
A talented linebacker who wants to make the most of his second chance, Patrick recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about why he decided to turn his life around, what his experience was like at the Georgia pro day workout, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: Your story has been well documented. I’m curious, what made you say it’s time for a change?
NP: I feel like the biggest breakthrough happened for me when my coaches and my family came together and agreed that treatment was the best route for me. It took for me to be away from the team for me to smarten up. That’s the honest truth. It took for me to not be allowed to work out with the team. It took for me not to be allowed in the meeting room. I had to be put on the outside looking in. If I was getting suspended but still allowed to work out with the team, that wasn’t enough for me to smarten up. I can see that now. It took for me to be really be far away from football and the team for me to realize what I was screwing up. I had to feel what it truly meant to be away from football because that’s the danger I was putting myself in.
JM: You had to completely remove yourself to see what you were really missing out on. I can appreciate the honesty.
NP: Exactly. That’s what did it for me.
JM: It’s quite the redemption story. You had your pro day recently, which was a big day for you, since you weren’t at the combine. How did that go?
NP: I think it went pretty well. I haven’t received any official numbers yet. I’m still waiting on those but overall as far as my drills went, I felt like I did really well. I have no regrets. I’m proud of myself and how I performed. That’s the biggest thing at the end of the day. I just hope I caught the attention of at least one person. I don’t need the attention of all 32 coaches. That’s something my position coach, coach [Glenn] Schumann told me. It’s not about going out there and impressing all 32 teams. It’s about finding the right fit and finding one coach that has faith in you. That’s what it’s all about. I’m pretty sure I did that.
(AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
JM: Did you get to meet with any teams afterwards?
NP: I did. I met with the Los Angeles Rams right after. They ran me down and met with me for a good chunk of time, actually. The New York Jets called me later that day. I was at dinner and they called my cell phone. I’ve recently spoken with the New England Patriots, as well. I’ve been getting contacted here and there. It’s good to see that teams have interest in me.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing linebacker?
NP: I love the control that we have over the defense. I feed off pressure. I love the pressure as weird as that may sound. Everything depends on the linebacker. I have to make the call and make sure I get my teammates in the right place to execute. You have complete control of the defense in that sense. I have to get guys in position and make sure they’re lined up accordingly. That’s what I really enjoy about the position.
JM: Playing at Georgia allowed you the opportunity to play against some of the best competition college football has to offer. Who are some guys that impressed you?
NP: It’s funny, I’m training with Jarvis Wilson right now. He played for Georgia as well, and we’re training at the same facility right now. We talk about this all the time. We talk about the talents we’ve seen and played together against. We admire defensive players more than we do offensive players, to be honest. Our freshman year, I remember we played against Missouri. Their defense was so tough that year. Shane Ray and Michael Sam were great players. I can flip the switch and talk offense as well. Playing against Derrick Henry was definitely something. We’ve played against some amazing talent. Kyler Murray was another one. Baker Mayfield. It’s amazing the type of talent you get to experience playing against when you play at Georgia.
JM: You’ve had so many great teammates throughout the years, but if you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would you bring and why?
NP: I would say John Akins. He played defensive line for us. That’s a scary dude right there (laughs). Walking alongside him in war, I doubt we’d get too many people trying to mess with us. If I had to bring just one person with me, it would definitely be him.
JM: Why should a team use one of their draft picks on Natrez Patrick?
NP: They’re gonna get a steal if they draft me. I’m trustworthy and willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win games and eventually win a Super Bowl. You can hand me the keys to your defense and be confident that I’m gonna get the guys around me to play at a high level. I’m gonna be a luxury to have.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2019 04:00PM by Rams Junkie.
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Meet Natrez Patrick, Georgia LB prospect and redemption story
By: Justin Melo | April 10, 2019 12:57 pm ET
It could have easily gone a different way for Georgia linebacker Natrez Patrick. But after an intervention from those closest to him, the SEC defender is ready to be an NFL star instead of a cautionary tale.
A talented linebacker who wants to make the most of his second chance, Patrick recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about why he decided to turn his life around, what his experience was like at the Georgia pro day workout, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: Your story has been well documented. I’m curious, what made you say it’s time for a change?
NP: I feel like the biggest breakthrough happened for me when my coaches and my family came together and agreed that treatment was the best route for me. It took for me to be away from the team for me to smarten up. That’s the honest truth. It took for me to not be allowed to work out with the team. It took for me not to be allowed in the meeting room. I had to be put on the outside looking in. If I was getting suspended but still allowed to work out with the team, that wasn’t enough for me to smarten up. I can see that now. It took for me to be really be far away from football and the team for me to realize what I was screwing up. I had to feel what it truly meant to be away from football because that’s the danger I was putting myself in.
JM: You had to completely remove yourself to see what you were really missing out on. I can appreciate the honesty.
NP: Exactly. That’s what did it for me.
JM: It’s quite the redemption story. You had your pro day recently, which was a big day for you, since you weren’t at the combine. How did that go?
NP: I think it went pretty well. I haven’t received any official numbers yet. I’m still waiting on those but overall as far as my drills went, I felt like I did really well. I have no regrets. I’m proud of myself and how I performed. That’s the biggest thing at the end of the day. I just hope I caught the attention of at least one person. I don’t need the attention of all 32 coaches. That’s something my position coach, coach [Glenn] Schumann told me. It’s not about going out there and impressing all 32 teams. It’s about finding the right fit and finding one coach that has faith in you. That’s what it’s all about. I’m pretty sure I did that.
(AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
JM: Did you get to meet with any teams afterwards?
NP: I did. I met with the Los Angeles Rams right after. They ran me down and met with me for a good chunk of time, actually. The New York Jets called me later that day. I was at dinner and they called my cell phone. I’ve recently spoken with the New England Patriots, as well. I’ve been getting contacted here and there. It’s good to see that teams have interest in me.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing linebacker?
NP: I love the control that we have over the defense. I feed off pressure. I love the pressure as weird as that may sound. Everything depends on the linebacker. I have to make the call and make sure I get my teammates in the right place to execute. You have complete control of the defense in that sense. I have to get guys in position and make sure they’re lined up accordingly. That’s what I really enjoy about the position.
JM: Playing at Georgia allowed you the opportunity to play against some of the best competition college football has to offer. Who are some guys that impressed you?
NP: It’s funny, I’m training with Jarvis Wilson right now. He played for Georgia as well, and we’re training at the same facility right now. We talk about this all the time. We talk about the talents we’ve seen and played together against. We admire defensive players more than we do offensive players, to be honest. Our freshman year, I remember we played against Missouri. Their defense was so tough that year. Shane Ray and Michael Sam were great players. I can flip the switch and talk offense as well. Playing against Derrick Henry was definitely something. We’ve played against some amazing talent. Kyler Murray was another one. Baker Mayfield. It’s amazing the type of talent you get to experience playing against when you play at Georgia.
JM: You’ve had so many great teammates throughout the years, but if you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would you bring and why?
NP: I would say John Akins. He played defensive line for us. That’s a scary dude right there (laughs). Walking alongside him in war, I doubt we’d get too many people trying to mess with us. If I had to bring just one person with me, it would definitely be him.
JM: Why should a team use one of their draft picks on Natrez Patrick?
NP: They’re gonna get a steal if they draft me. I’m trustworthy and willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win games and eventually win a Super Bowl. You can hand me the keys to your defense and be confident that I’m gonna get the guys around me to play at a high level. I’m gonna be a luxury to have.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2019 04:00PM by Rams Junkie.
