University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Get To Know Me: Riley Patterson
Dec 18, 2018 | Football
Sophomore kicker booted a career-long 52-yard field goal this season.
Note: The Riley Patterson "Get To Know Me" first appeared in the Tigers Football GameDay program Nov. 10 when Memphis hosted Tulsa.
Sophomore placekicker Riley Patterson successfully kicked a career-long 52-yard field goal at Missouri Oct. 20. A lot of kickers can convert from that distance – if not further – on a regular basis at practice.Â
But, knocking a 50-yarder or longer through the uprights in front of 50,000 is a different story.
Now that Patterson has the long-range field goal under his belt, Tigers fans can expect to see more out of the St. Louis native, who is building his confidence every day.
Successfully converting field goals is what most Tigers fans see from Patterson. What many don't know is experiences during Patterson's childhood helped prepare him for these moments.Â
From the ages of six to 13, Patterson devoted four days a week to taekwondo. The result? He is a second-degree black belt.
"It was the best thing I ever could do for myself athletic-wise," said Patterson. "It has helped me in so many different ways."
Let's learn more about Patterson off the field.
I started playing football… As soon as I was old enough. I played running back and linebacker. I played soccer, too, so I was the kicker and the punter. Around my freshman year of high school is when I wanted to just be a kicker.
My most embarrassing moment was… To be honest, it was on the sidelines when I was a freshman in high school. While practicing, I missed the kicking nets, and I hit one of the trombone players in the band.
If I had a choice to read a book or watch the movie, I would… Watch the movie. Reading is nice, but watching is so much more fun.
The social media platform I enjoy the most is… Instagram. I like watching sports video highlights.
The song I can't stop singing is… "Chicken Fried" by Zac Brown Band
When I'm not at practice, you can find me… Hanging out with my buddies. Maybe something at church with my small group. Maybe playing a little bit of Fortnite in there, too.
This past summer, I… Stayed in Memphis, taking classes and working out. I went home when I could.
If I won the lottery, I would… Tell absolutely no one that I won, and then I would probably be too safe with it. In 10 years, I would then probably blow all of it on trips to Europe and Australia.
If I were a super hero, my super power would be… To throw fire balls.
If I could compete in another sport, it would be… Golf.
The No. 1 thing on my bucket list is… Travel to Australia.
The favorite meal my mom cooks for me is… Breaded chicken with broccoli cheddar rice.
Other sports that I played as a child were… Football, soccer, baseball and taekwondo.
A TV show no one can believe I watch is… American Pickers.
A reality TV show that I could win is… America's Got Talent.
The most famous person I've met is… Albert Pujols. I sat next to him at dinner at Maggiano's in St. Louis.
Sophomore placekicker Riley Patterson successfully kicked a career-long 52-yard field goal at Missouri Oct. 20. A lot of kickers can convert from that distance – if not further – on a regular basis at practice.Â
But, knocking a 50-yarder or longer through the uprights in front of 50,000 is a different story.
Now that Patterson has the long-range field goal under his belt, Tigers fans can expect to see more out of the St. Louis native, who is building his confidence every day.
Successfully converting field goals is what most Tigers fans see from Patterson. What many don't know is experiences during Patterson's childhood helped prepare him for these moments.Â
From the ages of six to 13, Patterson devoted four days a week to taekwondo. The result? He is a second-degree black belt.
"It was the best thing I ever could do for myself athletic-wise," said Patterson. "It has helped me in so many different ways."
Let's learn more about Patterson off the field.
I started playing football… As soon as I was old enough. I played running back and linebacker. I played soccer, too, so I was the kicker and the punter. Around my freshman year of high school is when I wanted to just be a kicker.
My most embarrassing moment was… To be honest, it was on the sidelines when I was a freshman in high school. While practicing, I missed the kicking nets, and I hit one of the trombone players in the band.
If I had a choice to read a book or watch the movie, I would… Watch the movie. Reading is nice, but watching is so much more fun.
The social media platform I enjoy the most is… Instagram. I like watching sports video highlights.
The song I can't stop singing is… "Chicken Fried" by Zac Brown Band
When I'm not at practice, you can find me… Hanging out with my buddies. Maybe something at church with my small group. Maybe playing a little bit of Fortnite in there, too.
This past summer, I… Stayed in Memphis, taking classes and working out. I went home when I could.
If I won the lottery, I would… Tell absolutely no one that I won, and then I would probably be too safe with it. In 10 years, I would then probably blow all of it on trips to Europe and Australia.
If I were a super hero, my super power would be… To throw fire balls.
If I could compete in another sport, it would be… Golf.
The No. 1 thing on my bucket list is… Travel to Australia.
The favorite meal my mom cooks for me is… Breaded chicken with broccoli cheddar rice.
Other sports that I played as a child were… Football, soccer, baseball and taekwondo.
A TV show no one can believe I watch is… American Pickers.
A reality TV show that I could win is… America's Got Talent.
The most famous person I've met is… Albert Pujols. I sat next to him at dinner at Maggiano's in St. Louis.
Players Mentioned
PK
/ FootballFootball: Sutton Smith Press Conference - November 15, 2025
Sunday, November 16
Football: Ryan Silverfield Press Conference - November 15, 2025
Sunday, November 16
Football: Jordon Hankins Press Conference-November 12, 2025
Wednesday, November 12
Football: Tim Cramsey Press Conference-November 11, 2025
Tuesday, November 11