There are at least three good reasons that senior safety Kevin Patterson's contributions to the Wake Forest football program have, at times, been overlooked.
One is cornerback Alphonso Smith.
Another is linebacker Aaron Curry.
A third is safety Chip Vaughn.
Just like even the hardiest live oak can be overshadowed in a grove of redwoods, Patterson performs in relative obscurity on a defense that has the depth and ability to be the best in school history.
He was good enough as a sophomore to start 11 games at cornerback for a team that won the ACC championship.
"A lot of people have forgotten that," Patterson said. "I think even some of my teammates forget about it.
He was good enough and magnanimous enough, as a junior to move to safety and split time with Vaughn and senior Aaron Mason. He started nine of the Deacons' 13 games.
"He was awesome last year in his role with Aaron Mason," Coach Jim Grobe said. "I thought he was the most unselfish guy I've ever been around, because he'd started the year before and he and Mase split time at safety.
"That was really, really hard."
And he has been realistic enough to understand why few if any people are promoting him for postseason honors, despite the fact he's expected to make his 30th career start this Saturday at Florida State. His contributions include 127 career tackles and four career interceptions.
Smith had eight interceptions last year, and his pick in the season opener at Baylor was the 15th of his career.
Curry, who is expected to start his 39th game against FSU, had 13.5 tackles for losses last year along with four interceptions -- three of which he returned for touchdowns.
And Vaughn, in his first season as a starter, led the Deacons last year with 105 tackles.
"I mean A.C., he's a freak," Patterson said, referring to Curry. "Chip Vaughn is a freak. Alphonso, I mean he had eight interceptions last year.
"I had a good year, but the stats are the stats. I just try to stay positive about it."
He said that the challenge isn't that hard. He has never considered himself a star, not even while playing for Camden County High School in Kingsland, Ga.
"I just kind of play my role," Patterson said. "But at the same time, I feel my teammates and coaches have confidence in me just as much as they have in those big-name guys. I never get down on myself about it.
"As long as I'm out there playing and helping the team out, I'm happy."
Linebacker Stanley Arnoux, another senior whose contributions may have at times been overlooked, said that the best positive reinforcements comes from those you respect most. All performances, good or bad, come out not in the wash, but the film room.
"The great thing about it, we've got our coaches, and our teammates that see what we do," Arnoux said. "And watching film they can mention it to us. So it's all right.
"As long as we know we're playing well, we as a team recognize it."
Besides, as Grobe pointed out, recognition is not always good for a football player -- particularly one playing in the high-risk, high-reward secondary. He also knows that no team wins championships without the steady, reliable foot soldiers.
He was that kind of player as a middle guard and linebacker at Virginia playing for Coach Sonny Randle. He can appreciate what a Kevin Patterson means to a football team.
"One of the things that's been good about our last two teams is that they've been very unselfish," Grobe said. "And that's what I tell our players all the time, that we've got enough talent to win some games but whether we end up being a pretty good football team or not doesn't really have much to do with the talent. It has a lot to do with how we play on Saturday and how we are as a team.
"Our chemistry is probably as important as our ability. I feel good about this team."
Kevin Patterson is one big reason why.
"He's a great guy and he's playing really good right now," Grobe said. "I like where we are right now with KP."
■ Dan Collins can be reached at 727-7323 or at dcollins@wsjournal.com.
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