Another significant member of Iowa football’s roster decided to leave as the first day of the NCAA’s 14-day winter transfer portal window came to an end in typical chaos. Patterson, a redshirt junior running back, announced late on Friday night that he would be using the transfer portal. This makes him the second Hawkeye running back to do so in this early stretch, after Terrell Washington Jr.
An already active offseason for Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes is made more intriguing by the decision. Every portal entry has an impact on position groups, scholarship counts, and future depth charts since roster management is now just as important as recruiting. The running back room at Iowa, a school that has always taken pride in player development and stability, is abruptly changing noticeably.
Patterson, a 5-foot-10, 210-pound native of Pompano Beach, Florida, made 10 appearances in the previous campaign and established himself as a reliable, physical option in the Hawkeyes’ rotation. In addition to adding three receptions for nine yards, he finished the season with 296 rushing yards on 60 carries, averaging just under five yards per attempt. Even though he wasn’t the starting back, Patterson regularly produced well when called upon, frequently using a downhill running style that complements Iowa’s offensive identity.
When considering his entire career in Iowa City, Patterson leaves behind a body of work characterized by tenacity and patience. He played in 34 games over his four seasons with the Hawkeyes, starting two of them. He contributed nine receptions for 35 yards in the passing game in addition to his 858 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 195 carries during that time. Even though those numbers don’t immediately jump out of the stat sheet, they show a player who remained prepared, accepted his role, and made contributions when chances presented themselves.
Patterson had high expectations when he first enrolled at Iowa in the 2022 recruiting class. He was rated as a three-star prospect, the 65th best running back in the country, and the 102nd best player in the state of Florida, according to 247Sports. In 2022, he redshirted during his actual freshman year. This is a typical developmental path for running backs in Iowa’s system, which prioritizes strength, conditioning, and assignment mastery before increasing a player’s workload.
Patterson now has one year of eligibility left, so that redshirt season is crucial to his future. Patterson should draw interest from programs searching for a seasoned back who can offer depth, leadership, and dependability in a backfield because of his background in a Power Five program and his demonstrated ability to contribute at the collegiate level.
From Iowa’s point of view, Patterson’s exit and Washington’s portal entry raise concerns about how the Hawkeyes will restructure their running back room in 2026. Although Iowa has occasionally relied on a committee approach in the past, depth and continuity are still crucial, particularly in an offense that still prioritizes the run game. One of the storylines to follow during the offseason will be whether the solution comes from younger players already on the roster, new recruits, or the transfer portal itself.
The timing of Patterson’s announcement also highlights how uncompromising the contemporary college football schedule has become. Roster decisions are now made in real time, frequently late at night, and have immediate repercussions due to the portal window being open, bowl preparations continuing, and recruiting never really slowing down. It’s a chance for players to reevaluate their course.
Maintaining talent while planning for the future is a delicate balance for coaches. In the end, Patterson departs Iowa having fulfilled every request made of him while wearing black and gold. Changing roles and competitive depth charts allowed him to grow, contribute, and remain prepared. With experience, film, and the self-assurance that comes from playing in the Big Ten, he looks forward to his last year of eligibility.
His departure serves as another reminder to the Hawkeyes that the offseason is rarely quiet these days and that the process of assembling the team for 2026 is already well under way.
