Background
Patton was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up playing little league football for the University of North Alabama Bears.
Patton was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up playing little league football for the University of North Alabama Bears.
Patton attended Coffeyville Community College for three years before transferring to Louisiana Technical University.
He played college football at Louisiana Technical, and was drafted by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. From there, he went on to play football and baseball at Stratford High School, before later transferring to Louisiana Vergne High School in Louisiana Vergne, Tennessee, and playing high school football for the Louisiana Vergne Wolverines. At Louisiana Technical, he played for the Louisiana Technical Bulldogs football team in 2011 and 2012.
During his first year he was named a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference (Women's Army Corps) selection after he had 79 receptions for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In 2012, he had 104 receptions for 1,392 yards and 13 touchdowns, and was again a first-team All-Women's Army Corps selection. 2013 NFL Combine
2013 NFL Draft
Patton was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round, with the 128th overall pick, of the 2013 NFL Draft.
So stimulated by his new team that he flew at once to San Francisco, Patton was warned away from the 49ers training camp lest the organization receive a fine for his early presence, which would have been a violation of NFL league rules. Nevertheless, Patton"s action rebounded in his favor when Coach Jim Harbaugh took favorable notice of Patton"s enthusiasm.
2013 Season
Patton started the season as backup to the 49ers" Number.
3 receiver, Mario Manningham. Having suffered a foot fracture that sidelined him after the fourth game of the season, Patton sat out virtually all of his rookie year with the 49ers, and had one reception for zero yards prior to the final regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals. However, Patton made a substantial impact in the Arizona game, most notably by catching a 29-yard sideline pass on the final drive of the game, which enabled the 49ers" winning field goal.
Patton also sprinted for 26 yards on the first 49er series in the contest as well as throwing an important block later in the first quarter that helped create a long reception by fellow receiver Anquan Boldin.
Coach Harbaugh praised Patton"s comeback from his injury and stated he was "excited" by Patton"s prospects. The 49ers had been limited by the lack of a full complement of receiving options during most of the 2013 season.
Patton had no receptions in his first NFL playoff game in Green Bay, but made a notable 23-yard reception against the Carolina Panthers in his second post season experience, for the game"s initial first down.