Ferris State Football Signs James Patrick

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University football program has added to its 2010 recruiting class with the addition of talented offensive linemen James Patrick (Harper Woods), who recently inked as a late signee with FSU.

The 6-6, 300-pound Patrick joins 24 other prep recruits that previously signed national letters-of-intent with the Bulldogs on National Signing Day last week (Feb. 3).

A Harper Woods product, Patrick received 2009 Detroit News Division 5-6 All-State First Team accolades along with Associated Press All-State Special Mention laurels. He was a member of the team that won the school's first-ever playoff game in 2007 under prep head coach Heath Filber.

Patrick, who received significant Division I interest, will add considerable size up front. He was a three-year varsity player and is presently the leading scorer on the school's basketball team.

One of state's top linemen, Patrick was listed among Michigan's top 75 players as a junior in 2008. He was twice named to C&G Newspapers' All-Eastside Team and helped lead Harper Woods to a district crown and 11-win campaign in 2007.

Patrick joins two other offensive line prospects who previously committed to FSU in Jacob Davis (Grant Township/Port Huron Northern) and Tyler Prybylla (Michigan City, Ind.), both of whom are also listed at more than 300 pounds.

"We had a good year in terms of adding offensive linemen," said FSU head coach Jeff Pierce. "All of these guys are very impressive physically and we're excited we were able to attract them into our program.

"It's extremely nice we were able to sign all three of these guys," he added.

The Bulldogs are slated to open the 2010 season by visiting Hillsdale on Friday, Sept. 3, for a 7 p.m. (EST) non-conference contest at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium in Hillsdale, Mich.

FSU's first home contest will also serve as its Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opener on Saturday, Sept. 11, against Saginaw Valley State with kickoff set for 7 p.m. (EST) at FSU's Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. Both of the first two games are against teams that qualified for the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2009.

Below is biographical information on James Patrick:

James Patrick
6-6, 300, OL
Harper Woods

Chosen as a 2009 Detroit News Division 5-6 All-State First Team pick ..... Earned Associated Press Division 5-6 All-State Special Mention laurels ..... Regarded as one of state's top linemen ...... Member of team that won school's first-ever playoff game in 2007 .... Coached by Heath Filber .... Received significant Division I interest ...... Has considerable size at 300 pounds ..... Three-year varsity player ..... Leading scorer on school's basketball team .....Twice named to C&G Newspapers' All-Eastside Team .... Listed as one of state's top 75 players as a junior in 2008.