ODESSA, Texas (April 28, 2026) – UT Permian Basin football had its second player sign an NFL contract when wide receiver Ben Patterson signed as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) with the Jacksonville Jaguars following last week's NFL Draft.

"Seeing Ben earn an opportunity at the next level as just the second player in our program's history to sign with an NFL team is a tremendous point of pride for our entire university," said UTPB's Vice President for Athletics, Scott Larson. "His journey reflects the work ethic, resilience, and belief that define our student‑athletes. We are excited to watch him continue to grow and represent our school on the professional stage."

Patterson, a Fort Worth, Texas, native, spent five years at UTPB and racked up numerous accolades along the way. He redshirted his freshman year and has played at least 12 games in the last three seasons. He is a three-time All-Lone Star Conference honoree, ranks second in career receiving yards with the program and third in career touchdowns. Patterson is a two-time Second-Team All-LSC receiver (2023, 2025) and a one-time Honorable Mention All-LSC receiver (2024).

This past season, Patterson played in all 14 games, totaled 32 catches, ranked third on the team in receiving yards (678), and was fourth with five touchdown catches. In all of NCAA Division II, Patterson ranked 11th in yards per reception (21.19). He had at least one catch in all 14 games throughout the season and surpassed his career-high in receiving yards for the third year in a row.

Blake Crandall, Patterson's wide receivers coach at UTPB for the past three seasons, said "Ben is an unbelievable kid who worked incredibly hard in everything he ever did, whether that be in the weight room, classroom or on the field. He was a huge contributor to our success the past three seasons. He will be great in his next phase of football. I am so proud of him and his accomplishments. The Jaguars got a great one in Ben."

Patterson totaled at least five receiving touchdowns with at least 500 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons. With 1,774 career receiving yards, Patterson is ranked second in program history and is just 19 yards shy of the program record of 1,793 receiving yards. Finally, Patterson's 16 career receiving touchdowns are good for the third-most in program history.

Patterson was an important part of the most successful season in program history this year. UTPB won its first two DII playoff games ever and finished 2025 ranked third in the final D2Football.com poll. Patterson was also a part of UTPB's first LSC championship in 2023.

Patterson is the second UTPB player to ever receive an NFL contract offer. The first being offensive lineman Corin Brooks, who played in UTPB's inaugural season in 2016. He first signed as an UDFA with the Kansas City Chiefs and later the New York Giants after going undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The 2026 Jacksonville Jaguars rookie minicamp is scheduled for May 8-9 at the Miller Electric Center in downtown Jacksonville, Florida (adjacent to EverBank Stadium), featuring 28 rookies, including 10 draft picks and 18 undrafted free agents.