A productive FIU transfer whose one-year stop at Georgia Tech landed him a Buccaneers minicamp invite alongside a former teammate.
Dean Patterson built his college resume over four seasons at FIU before a single-season stint at Georgia Tech, and now he is reuniting with former Panthers teammate Eric Rivers in Tampa Bay's wide receiver room. He went unselected in the 2026 draft but earned a minicamp invitation from the Buccaneers.
Path to the league
Patterson is a Lutz, Florida, native who spent four seasons at FIU before transferring to Georgia Tech for his final college season in 2025. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft but received a rookie minicamp invitation from the Buccaneers, which he converted into a roster spot.
Career highlights
Over four years at FIU, Patterson caught 98 passes for 1,406 yards and eight touchdowns, including a second-team All-Conference USA season in 2024 when he posted 50 catches for 685 yards and seven touchdowns. He was limited to a smaller role in his lone season at Georgia Tech, catching eight passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
2025 season recap
In his only year with the Yellow Jackets, Patterson played 339 snaps and finished with eight receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns, averaging nearly 19 yards per catch despite limited targets. That performance was enough to earn him a look from Tampa Bay, where he is competing for a roster spot alongside his former FIU teammate Eric Rivers.
Sources
- Sports Illustrated: Former Georgia Tech Wide Receiver Dean Patterson Receives A Minicamp Invite From Tampa Bay
- ESPN: Dean Patterson
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- Georgia Tech
- Hometown
- Lutz, FL, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
