Parliament Profile: Incoming Experience

Among the newcomers on the 2025 Kennesaw State football roster is redshirt junior defensive lineman – and transfer from fellow Conference USA squad Western Kentucky - Marcus Patterson. 

He played in 28 games for the Hilltoppers and was part of the team that clinched a berth in the 2024 Conference USA Championship Game.  

Patterson played several sports as a kid, but it was the prospect of a college education – and one coach’s advice – that led him to put on shoulder pads. 

“One of my coaches growing up told me that football could be a route to higher education and that really motivated me,” he said. “He said I had the ability to go play football in college and that just stuck with me.” 

His ability to move up front and get to the ball carrier led to his success on the field at Crestview High School to being an ESPN three-star recruit and his arrival at the FBS level. 

“I’ve always been a finesse rusher; I’m always trying to set the offensive line up,” Patterson said. 

And while Kennesaw State is new to the defensive lineman, it’s also new to his head coach Jerry Mack and defensive coordinator Marc Mattioli. 

“The culture Coach Mack and Coach Mattioli are trying to build, I just clicked and aligned with it,” he said. “They understood my goals and what I was trying to do.” 

Even though they’ve been on the same team for just a few months, Patterson speaks highly of his new defensive coordinator. 

“He’s got a lot of swag and somebody I really wanted to play for,” he said of Mattioli. 

In addition to his rapport with the coaching staff, the location of Kennesaw State University also played a part in bringing Patterson to The ‘Saw. 

“You’re right outside of Atlanta,” he remarked. “What’s not to like? You have everything here.” 

Another thing he brings to the Metro Atlanta area in 2025 is postseason experience, having played in the Boca Raton Bowl this past season. 

“That’s one of my main goals for this season for us,” he said of getting Kennesaw State to its first bowl game in program history. 

In his first few months with the Black and Gold, he is excited about how the team has looked thus far. 

“From a defensive view, just the way we compete with the offense,” he added. “All spring, the offense and defense were going back and forth, and it really made the team that much better.” 

Patterson and the Owls take the field Friday, Aug. 29 in the 2025 season opener against Wake Forest.  

“I only have two years left and I really want to leave a legacy here,” he concluded. 

The defensive lineman is set to graduate in the fall of 2026 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. 

Secure Your Seat for Jerry Mack's First Season 

Season tickets for the 2025 Kennesaw State football season are on sale now! Home games include contests against Merrimack (Sept. 13), Arkansas State (Sept. 20), MTSU (Sept. 27), Louisiana Tech (Oct. 9), UTEP (Oct. 28) and Missouri State (Nov. 22). Click here for more info on tickets for Jerry Mack's first season as head coach of KSU football.