Former No. 1 quarterback recruit Shea Patterson will be immediately eligible to play for the Michigan football team this season after transferring from Ole Miss, the schools announced Friday.
Shea Patterson (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Patterson was the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the 2016 class, and the No. 4 player in the nation overall.
After two years at the University of Mississippi, Patterson decided to leave the school due to sanctions that made the Rebels ineligible for postseason play for two seasons. Since Patterson could have played in a bowl game his senior year, he had to apply for immediate eligibility with the NCAA.
After long discussions involving Michigan, Ole Miss and the NCAA, Patterson was officially ruled eligible Friday. Here’s the full joint statement from the schools:
Ole Miss players were given the freedom to transfer anywhere in the nation after the school was hit with heavy sanctions for violations under former head coach Hugh Freeze.
Here is a statement from Patterson:
Patterson joins quarterbacks Brandon Peters and Dylan McCaffrey on Michigan’s roster, along with newcomer Joe Milton. Patterson will likely battle Peters and McCaffrey for the starting job.
In 10 games across two seasons at Ole Miss, Patterson threw for 3,139 yards, 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 169 yards in three games as a true freshman.
Michigan opens the 2018 season with a tough road game at Notre Dame, which finished 9-3 last season.
Quarterback was a weakness for Michigan throughout 2017, with returning starter Wilton Speight and backup John O’Korn battling turnover and accuracy issues.
Peters was a calming force when he took over the starting role, throwing for four touchdowns and no interceptions, but the coaching staff was cautious with him in the passing game. Patterson will give the Wolverines another talented option to compete and improve the most important position on the field.
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