[LeeCoUKFan]

Cornerback Patten eyeing pair of SEC visits

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

Kentucky and Tennessee haven't seen much success on the football field over the past few years but both football programs are recruiting at a very high level.

They could go head-to-head for a top cornerback prospect later this year.

Four-star corner Nigel Patten told Cats Illustrated in a recent interview that the Wildcats and Volunteers have caught his attention. He doesn't have any favorites but you can bet that both of those programs would be on his short list if he had one.

"I can say for sure I'll go to Kentucky and Tennessee for official visits," Patten said.

To date Patten has just visited four in-state schools: Florida, Florida State, Miami and UCF. But the Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington defensive back said it would be a mistake to read too much into that and assume his heart is set on staying in the Sunshine State.

"(Location) doesn't really matter to me. If I could go to Alaska and play football that's where I'd go if it was best. I don't feel like I have a (favorite). All my options are open," he said.

Derrick Ansley has been talking to Patten from the UK staff and four-star quarterback pledge Drew Barker has been reaching out to him as well.

"They're talking to me a lot," Patten said. "Drew Barker was telling me it's a nice program. I've talked to coach Ansley a lot to times. He's come to my school and seen me. That will be a visit when I take officials.

"I think the coaching staff is phenomenal. They've got some guys from FSU and coach Ansley coming down from Tennessee. They've got some guys with a lot of experience on their resumes.

"Their recruiting class is the best they could possibly have. They're trying to make Kentucky national championship contenders."

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1510897