Other than a brief stint as an eight-year-old defensive end in youth football, quarterback is all Nick Patti has even known.
The Orlando native set passing records at Dr. Phillips High School, earning a finalist spot for Mr. Florida Football after he led his team to the state championship game. His journey first took him to Boise State, but when things weren't advancing he transferred to UCF last summer.
By the time the team returned from the Ireland trip, Patti found himself as the backup behind starter Justin Holman. He played five games of mostly mop-up duty, completing 7-of-14 passes for 89 yards, while maintaining his No. 2 spot through spring practice.
So it was a bit of surprise when Patti ran out to practice on Wednesday as a wide receiver.
"When Summer B came about, (Coach O'Leary) approached me about making a switch to see how it goes," Patti said. "I think it went well today. I got involved a little bit. I'm just trying to use my talents the best I can to help the team... (Quarterback) is all I've ever done. I'm getting more comfortable with it."
Patti credited a couple players in particular aiding him in the transition: Blake Tiralosi and Kyle Coltrain.
"After summer skellies, they'll pull me aside and help me technique wise," Patti said. "Nobody is shy to give advice so it's been good."
Learning the ins and outs of how to be a receiver has been the biggest learning curve.
"I know every play and where to go," Patti said. "I don't have to learn anything new. If anything, I'm helping with the receivers out there. It's just the technique, the hand placements. It's completely different than the position I've learned. I also need to get in better shape than I was as a quarterback."
As a quarterback turned receiver, Patti has an interesting perspective on the competition to find a new backup. Assuming Justin Holman retains his starter status, that battle will come down to redshirt freshman Tyler Harris and true freshman Bo Schneider.
"I know they're all working extremely hard," Patti said. "Justin has kind of stepped in to that leadership role. Tyler is close behind him having been here a whole year now. Bo is not too far behind. They all look pretty good. Justin knows it, Tyler knows it a little bit better obviously than Bo, so kind of in that order. They've all looked pretty good. But Bo is not struggling. He's doing well... For a young guy, he sees the field pretty well. A lot of guys come in and it's hard for them to handle the speed of the game, the different coverages and stuff you don't see at the high school level. He seems to have a pretty good grasp on it."
Not looking back, Patti is focused on embracing his new role at wide receiver.
"You have a vision of what you think your career will be and 90 percent of the time it's not even close," Patti said. "'Just go where God takes me,' is what I always say. Whatever door He opens, just walk through it and see what happens. I never thought in a million years I'd play wide receiver, but I'm not opposed to it at all. I'm not discouraged by moving. I see it as an opportunity that I want to take advantage. If I can help the team, that's what I'll do."
