Cross Patton, former University of Oregon and University of Nevada running back and son of hip-hop legend Big Boi of Outkast is headed to Daytona Beach, Florida HBCU Bethune-Cookman University to play out his final year of eligibility.
Patton, a 5-6 running back from Atlanta, Georgia committed to the University of Oregon in 2019 out of Woodward High School where he was an Honorable mention All-Region 4-AAAA selection as a senior.
After taking a redshirt year in 2019 and playing sparingly in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He played in five games in 2021 but only saw action on special teams, finishing his career at Oregon having played in seven games and recording one tackle.
Cross Patton transferred to the University of Oregon in 2022 where he played in 10 games in two seasons, gaining 68 yards on 23 carries as a member of the Wolfpack.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Cross Patton heads back east to play HBCU football for head coach Raymond Woodie at Bethune-Cookman University.
By his side as always will be his No. 1 fan and father Big Boi, one-half of the legendary hip-hop duo Outkast. Big Boi was a regular at University of Nevada home games the past two seasons and he also traveled to road games at Hawaii and Iowa to show his support for his son.
“He’s been a part of my journey ever since I started playing football,” Cross Patton told Nevada Sports Net about his father’s ongoing support. “I don’t think he’s ever missed more than maybe four games my whole life. He’s been there all the way.”
Bethune-Cookman went 3-8 in 2023 and finished 5th out of 6 teams in the SWAC East. Head coach Raymond Woodie spoke to the school’s media department during the 2024 spring ball program and emphasized his focus on filling position holes with the transfer portal and his commitment to the run game. The signing of Cross Patton checks both boxes and his father’s commitment to his career will add another celebrity to the already awesome atmosphere of HBCU football in Florida.