Staff file photo / R. Michael Semple Patrick Valent (78) of Kennedy stops Dalton running back Jaden Schlabach during the 2020 playoffs.

WARREN — Warren John F. Kennedy standout lineman Patrick Valent said playing at the college level has been a dream of his, and something he’s worked for, since he was in seventh grade.

On May 2, Valent announced his verbal commitment to Rice University to continue his academic and athletic career. The decision to go to Rice, over several other schools that offered him scholarships, came down to the highest level of play and the highest academic level offered by the college. Next year, Rice will transition to the American Athletic Conference and Valent is looking forward to it.

“When they make the jump to the conference, it’s the highest (level) I can play at and the highest level of academics. That combination alone set them apart from everyone else,” he said.

Valent, a junior at Kennedy, said he wanted to commit as early as possible due to the transfer portal accelerating scholarship opportunities for existing players transferring from their previous schools. After he committed, Valent said a few more spots filled up on the offensive line and he was excited that more linemen followed his lead.

“It was awesome,” Valent said.

The offer from Rice came in person when Valent was in Houston for a visit to the college. It was a moment he said he will never forget.

“It was nothing like anything that’s happend to me. It’s pretty spectial to the point it put tears in my eyes,” he said.

The recruiting process, however, was a different story. He said he enjoyed getting to go to different schools, meeting coaches and players, but said it was stressful.

“It was a lot to take in and I’m glad that at this point it’s over for me and I’m very grateful. There’s a lot of people who aren’t genuine in this process and a lot who are. I’m grateful to have met the people I have and I’m a better person for it,” he said.

For Valent, the ability to play at the collegiate level really clicked for him when at the end of his freshman year at Kennedy. He was told schools were interested in him and he realized that he needed to work hard for his shot at the next level.

“I said if this is a possibility I would put my all into it. We got a weight set off of Craigslist and I started working every day,” he said. “I was working out twice a day during quarantine.”

Valent credits his family, teammates coaches and classmates as his support system. When he started working toward achieving his goal, Valent said his support system was backing him up and making sure he “didn’t slack off.”

“I have a very large family but my family extends beyond blood. I have a ton of people. Being at JFK is one of the best things I’ve ever done,” he said. “Coach Prologo was a great advisor for me… my parents were thrilled for the academics and I’m really thankful for everyone’s input. I am blessed to have these people around.”

He specifically thanks his coaches, teammates, classmates and strength coach and uncle, Frank Tempesta, for his success.

“I want to highlight how thankful I am for the people in my school community and every coach I’ve had to get to this point,” Valent said.

nhawthorne@tribtoday.com