Photo Courtesy of Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Dez Fitzpatrick was a highly touted, highly sought after high school recruit. A 4 Star Wide Receiver with offers from the likes of Michigan, Nebraska, and Pittsburgh, to name a few. In the end, it came down to UofL and Nebraska.
We all remember the very stylish commitment video when Dez held up a football emblazoned with the familiar UofL Cardinal head. UofL coaches got the receiver they desperately wanted. UofL fans were ecstatic to get a 4 Star Wide Receiver and beat out a “blue blood” for him.
Fitzpatrick seemed to be an incredible route runner that always found himself open. He seemed to have the speed to break long ones. Most importantly, he seemed to have great hands. If the ball was in his vicinity on the field, 9 times out of 10 he was catching it.
Of course, this was in high school. As we all well know, the brutal truth of football is that success on one level does not necessarily translate to the next level. We have all seen highly regarded recruits that end up busts in college.
Dez, however, is not a bust. He is living up to the hype that surrounded him as a recruit. Actually, you can say he’s surpassing it. Lamar Jackson trusts him so much that Dez has arguably become his favorite target. Number 87 is now Lamar’s security blanket.
Half way through this season, Dez Fitzpatrick has 26 receptions for 414 yards and, most importantly, 6 TDs per gocards.com. Dez leads the entire team in total receptions, receiving yards, and TD receptions. He has 4 more TDs than the next closest receivers on the team. All impressive stats.
However, what’s even more impressive is where his 6 TDs ranks him both in the ACC and nationally. According to ACC Digital Network, his 6 TD receptions are 1st in the ACC and tied for 8th in the entire country. Those ranks are insane for a guy who is just Redshirt Freshman.
.@UofLFootball WR Dez Fitzpatrick is a touchdown machine and has become one of @Lj_era8's favorite targets. #L1C4 pic.twitter.com/ISPplVYF1v
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 12, 2017
I had a pretty good idea Dez would be special, but not so quickly. I thought he would have some nifty catches and maybe one huge game. I did not expect him to step in his first season and become arguably the team’s best receiver. Nor did I expect him to become arguably the second best player on the offense behind Lamar Jackson.
It’s wonderful to think that we likely have Dez Fitzpatrick for 2 more years. The young man is a budding star. Cardinal Sports Zone’s own Jeremy Wahman has come up with a pretty good nickname, Dez Sixpatrick. It’s a befitting nickname for this young man. He’s averaging a touchdown per game…as a Redshirt Freshman Receiver on a squad full of talented receivers.
The future for Dez Fitzpatrick is brighter than the glorious majesty that is the Sun. Believe it or not, I think next year he may put up more ridiculous numbers than he will likely end this season with. It matters not whether Lamar Jackson or Jawon Pass is throwing the ball; all that matters is that Dez will catch it.
All hail Dez Sixpatrick. For we who are about to watch UofL football games, salute you.
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