JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Way back in the old days, before bowl-game opt-outs and the transfer portal conspired to rob college football of a big piece of its soul, players took the field with their teammates at this time of year because, well, doing so was just a given.
Jarrett Patterson can relate. The Notre Dame graduate-student offensive lineman has had enough trouble with injuries that others in his shoes might have chosen to skip the Gator Bowl on Friday against South Carolina. But this guy, who was too hurt to play when the Irish reached the College Football Playoff in 2020? This four-year starter, who could have gone to the NFL a year ago but returned to school and took on a difficult position switch from center to guard?
