Major: Operations Management (2008), Business (2006-07)

Jersey #: 23 (2006-08), 35 (2004-05)

Weight: 209 (2008), 210 (2004-07)

2008 Media Guide: Capable veteran who can play either safety position … tall, rangy and athletic … a hitter, runs well and is an instinctive player. … on track to graduate in December.

2007: Played in the secondary and on three special teams units … six tackles for the season … 34-yard interception in the Northwestern win … third-year letterman.

2007 Media Guide: Fourth year safety … can play either safety position.

2006: Played in all 13 games and started the season-opener at free safety … finished the regular season with five tackles, two of which were solos … had two tackles against NIU and one each against Bowling Green, Minnesota and Northwestern.

2006 Media Guide: Vying with senior Brandon Mitchell for the starting spot at free safety as a replacement for three-year starter Nate Salley … like Salley is tall, rangy and athletic … earned his first letter in 2005 after being redshirted in 2004 … most of his playing time last year came with the special teams … is a hitter, runs well and appears to be an instinctive player … thrust himself into contention for a starting spot with a strong spring showing … he and Mitchell will continue to battle it out in the fall, but both figure to play a lot.

2005: Played a total of 18 minutes and was in on six tackles – four solos and two assists … made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Miami (Ohio) and had two tackles, both solos … credited with two assists against Northwestern … also recorded solo stops against Indiana and Northwestern … played five minutes against Northwestern and three against Indiana.

2005 Media Guide: Redshirted last year as a true freshman … was a standout wide receiver and defensive back in high school, but will concentrate on the latter for the Buckeyes … played with the scout team last year and impressed the coaching staff with his overall athletic ability … is a hitter and “flies around pretty good back there” according to head coach Jim Tressel … goes into the fall listed behind Tyler Everett at strong safety … will certainly get playing time with the special teams … is a promising young player who will only get better as he gets bigger and stronger and becomes more experienced … is the first player from Missouri since Reggie Germany (1997-2000).

2004: Did not play in any games and was redshirted.

High School: Expected to play defensive back in college, but is also a possibility at wide receiver … has the athletic ability to excel at either position … considered a sure-handed receiver with excellent size and speed and has great instincts for a defensive player who runs to the ball well and is a sure tackler capable of delivering a crunching hit … caught 45 passes for 876 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior and was in on 74 tackles, including 54 solos, on defense … also had a pair of touchdowns as a junior, while recording three picks and 40-plus tackles as a free safety … runs 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds … listed as the 30th-best athlete nationally by Rivals.com, which also ranked him as the 10th best prospect in Missiouri … listed as the sixth-best prospect in Missouri by SuperPrep and as the nation’s 40th-best defensive back by TheInsiders.com.

Personal: Is the son of Johnny and Rosalyn Patterson … nickname is “Topp” … favorite food is macaroni & cheese … favorite music artist is Nelly.