After a trial by fire, Jamison Patton is ready to make a splash for Iowa State football

Iowa State football sophomore defensive back Jamison Patton will tell you that playing 11 games and starting against Brigham Young as a true freshman was a bit of a surprise.

"I was kind of thrown in there," Patton said. "I got there early and I was trying to learn things on the fly."

Yet, he wouldn't have had it any other way.

"I love facing adversity," Patton said.

For a true freshman who didn't have massive expectations when he arrived in Ames, Patton faced the noise with 16 tackles and an interception in year one. In his one game as a starter, he racked up four tackles and took an interception 30 yards as the Cyclones drubbed BYU 45-13 on the backs of a standout day for the defense.

This year, Patton may be one of the primary names (along with Darien Porter and Jontez Williams) looking to fill the massive void left by TJ Tampa.

As a result, Patton's offseason has largely been dedicated to diving into the playbook. After going through a trial-by-fire first season in which much of the playbook was brand-new to the former Ankeny High School product, he's hoping that by having his nose deep into the playbook he can fit seamlessly in a secondary that is firing on all cylinders so far this offseason.

"It's crazy how on the field we're just all on the same page and all in unison, not even just as a secondary but as a whole defense," Patton said.

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Asked what the No. 1 thing he's been up to in the offseason, Patton said learning the defense more thoroughly has been his biggest time investment. Patton admired Tampa for his daily preparation for competition, and he's trying to emulate the former Cyclone who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens. Patton is working on scouting opponents and tweaking technique.

Tampa can be proud of how he passed on his work ethic to the next generation of defensive backs at Iowa State. The fourth-round NFL Draft pick likes what he sees returning to the fold for his former position group.

"They're going to be big this year," Tampa said. "It's going to be a breakout for everybody."

Patton has a long road to be a consistent starter, with Myles Purchase starting at one of the cornerback spots and Porter and Williams looking like the favorites for the second spot as of now. Iowa State also has three All-Big 12 safeties in Jeremiah Cooper, Malik Verdon and Beau Freyler.

Patton has an intriguing skillset as a former wide receiver and quarterback in high school (he played at Des Moines Roosevelt before transferring to Ankeny). That not only showcases his athleticism but also his ability to understand what opposing offenses are up to on a given down.

If Patton's meticulous studying of the playbook pays off in the fall, he may be one to watch in a talented secondary.

"I feel very good about myself coming into this next season, and I'm excited to see what I can do," Patton said.

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Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com . Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: After a trial by fire, Jamison Patton is ready to make a splash for Iowa State football