Why a former Georgia star was surprised by former Vols WR Cordarrelle Patterson during Steelers minicamp

Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones, a first round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft, is a massive guy at 6-foot-5/311 lbs.  But that didn't stop Jones from being surprised at the size of former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson this week.  Patterson, who was signed by the Steelers […]

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones, a first round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft, is a massive guy at 6-foot-5/311 lbs. 

But that didn't stop Jones from being surprised at the size of former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson this week. 

Patterson, who was signed by the Steelers earlier this offseason, arrived at minicamp this week and his size was immediately a talking point. 

“I saw him walk in, I’m like, ‘Man, I did not know he was that big.’ He’s huge for a utility player like him," said Jones. "That’s a great asset for us to have on the offensive side of the ball because he can do it all. So I feel like that's just another piece to the puzzle that we've added.”

Patterson can fill a variety of roles in Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense (running back, wide receiver, etc), but his primary contribution to the Steelers is expected to come as a kick returner, thanks to the NFL's new kickoff rule

“I’m ready to show the world what I can do,” said Patterson on Thursday

“As soon as the rule happened, it was exciting for me,” added Patterson. “It will be very different, but we’ve been planning for it for a while. Hopefully, we get a jumpstart on it.”

Patterson has nine carer kick return touchdowns.