The Jets added fifth-year WR Quinton Patton to their receiving corps Thursday. Here are six nuggets to know about Patton now that he's rejoined his former position coach, offensive coordinator John Morton.
Eager to Start WorkingIn Patton's rookie season with the 49ers, he flew from his home state of Tennessee to San Francisco on his own dime to workout with the team prior to rookie minicamps. However, the fourth-round pick never made it to the facility. He had to turn around because he would've been ineligible to participate in rookie camp the following week.
However, his actions caught the eye of his head coach, Jim Harbaugh, who said Patton reminded him of himself.
Pie FacePatton's father is known as "The Pie Man" in his neighborhood. The 6'0", 204-pounder was once expecting to receive a pie in the mail, but it never quite made it to his house despite what the UPS tracker read. "Somebody had a sweet tooth," he told Niners Nation.
Fun fact: Patton's favorite pie is apple.
Big Fish in a Small Pond
Patton was very productive for Louisiana Tech after spending a year at Coffeyville Community College. In two seasons for the Bulldogs, he registered 183 receptions for 2,594 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning first-team all-conference honors both years. He had 11 games with at least 100 receiving yards and two over 200, one of which came against Texas A&M (233 yards). He had his most productive collegiate outing against the Aggies in a 59-57 shootout loss, tying school records for receptions and touchdowns in a single game with 21 and four, respectively.
Culinary QuintonPatton has a passion for cuisine, stemming from his childhood when his father was a chef in the Nashville area. During his time in San Francisco, Patton wanted to open up a Pappadeaux, a seafood chain, in San Jose. In an interview with 49ers.com, Patton said his dream is to open a restaurant named Uncle Phil's, after former teammate Phil Dawson.
Real Recognizes Real
Former Mississippi State CB Jonathan Banks, a second-round selection by the Bears in 2013, gave props to Patton during his draft process.
"I feel like [Patton] from Louisiana Tech is the best receiver I've played against since I've been here," Banks said in an interview with ESPN.com. "I've gone against some good ones in the SEC, too, but he's probably the most complete."
Just for the record, SEC receivers that overlap with Banks' college tenure include A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Donte Moncrief and Jordan Matthews.
Involved in the Community
Patton was active off the field while playing for the Bulldogs. Prior to their bowl game in 2011, the Louisiana Tech players participated in the Poinsettia Bowl's Make-A-Wish-Foundation event. However, Patton and fellow teammate Adrien Cole went a step further and donated their bowl gifts, which included a $300 Best Buy gift card.
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