New Jones CB Courtney Patterson has committed to Arkansas State

Courtney Patterson, a cornerback who has transferred to Jones High during the summer break, committed to Arkansas State on Friday.

He is another talented newcomer on the Jones squad, which also added talented, multi-position standout Larry Miles from West Orange this summer.

Patterson comes to Jones from Ocala, where he played at Trinity Catholic.

He was second in tackles at Trinity last season with 65, and he also had three interceptions.

He will bolster a talented defensive secondary at Jones that could well be tested with the loss of experience on the defensive line due to graduation.

Patterson comes with high praise from Jones coach Elijah Williams.

“He’s got everything. He can play,” Williams said. “He’s probably one of the best corners we’ve ever had. He’s athletic, can play safety, offense too.”

Patterson said Arkansas State coaches have been recruiting him from the beginning of his process.

“With Arkansas State, I’ve had a great connection with the coaches for well over a year,” Patterson said. “It’s a place where you can go and work on your craft, without any distractions, and that pulled me closer to the school.”

Patterson said he liked the small town atmosphere of the Jonesboro, Ark., school.

”The town comes and supports and they do a lot of good things for the school,” Patterson said. “It’s just more of a smaller college town environment and it’s in the country, somewhere I can feel at home without being home.

”They have a lot of Florida kids, as well, so that means a lot, too.”

If he stays true to his commitment on signing day, will join former Lake Nona and Coastal Carolina corner Manny Stokes Jr.,  and 14 other Florida players on the Red Wolves roster.

Defensive backs coach Jay Simpson has been hot on his trail.

“I have a very strong connection with the corners coach, JayMitch,” Paterson said. And the head coach [Butch Jones]. He puts out a lot of people [to the NFL] without it being a P4 school.

”I just feel like I can get there and be able to play right away and have an impact on the team.”

He said he has settled in well with new Jones teammates

“I’m loving it. The coaches are very good and everybody wants to win here,” Patterson said. “We’re doing what we need to do here and putting in the work to go get this state ring.

”Iron sharpens iron, as far as me having to guard the receivers (in summer workouts), because we have great receivers. Also a great QB [Dereon Coleman] and just great people all the way around.”

Chris Hays can be found on X @OS_ChrisHays . He can be reached via email chays@orlandosentinel.com .