Recruiting Report: Blake Patrick (2017)

<p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">As a three-year starter for Holdingford, <strong>Blake Patrick</strong> made a name for himself around central Minnesota. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">He was a rare sophomore contributor on the Huskers Class AA state championship squad in 2014, and has blossomed into a playmaking, All-District receiver the past two seasons. He said improving his hands were integral to his success since his first varsity snap.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">“I knew I was fast enough to be a receiver, but I just needed to develop good hands,” Patrick said via email.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Patrick finished his career with 103 receptions for 1,869 yards and 21 touchdowns, including 45 catches for 791 yards and nine scores as a senior. He also totaled 12 career interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Huskers coach <strong>Luke Mitchell</strong> said Patrick’s ability to gain separation from defensive backs, along with his knack for getting yards after the catch, enhanced his confidence and made him an even better player.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">“He realized he can be a huge difference maker on the field,” Mitchell said via email. “He delivered many big plays for us.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Patrick, who Mitchell described as “laid back and easy going” away from sports, is also been a standout on the basketball court. His play on the hardwood has produced recruiting interest in both sports, and he said he would love an opportunity to play both sports in college.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">The slender, 145-pounder’s best opportunity to play football and basketball would be in Division III. Programs like St. John’s, St. Scholastica and Hamline have all expressed interest. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">“Blake is going to be a great role model off the field, while being an explosive player on it,” Mitchell said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Patrick said Northern State University from the NSIC was also in contact with him for football, but he has yet to be offered a partial or full scholarship.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">“I am looking for a good coaching staff of course,” said Patrick, who finished as <u><strong><a href="http://www.northstarfootballnews.com/2017-rankings"><span style="color:#B22222">NFN&#39;s 263rd-ranked player</span></a></strong></u> in the Class of 2017. “I haven’t done enough visits to pick out a favorite as of right now.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Patrick’s academic interests include business and sports management. He said he likes playing video games with friends in his spare time, because its provides competition -- as if the three-sport athlete doesn’t get enough.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">“Competition always makes everything fun,” Patrick said.</span></span></p>