Source - Jim Harbaugh has a new quarterback to mold, as Shea Patterson announced Monday that he is transferring to Michigan. Patterson, a former No. 1 recruit in the 2016 class, is the highest-ranked quarterback that Harbaugh has ever had. Even Andrew Luck, whom Harbaugh coached at Stanford, was only a four-star recruit.
The now-former Ole Miss QB announced he was exploring the possibility of a transfer a few weeks ago after NCAA penalties against Ole Miss were announced. The possibility is now a reality.
There is still a question of whether Patterson will be eligible to play in 2018. While the NCAA announced all Ole Miss seniors could transfer without sitting out the requisite season, other players will have to appeal to the NCAA first. Should Patterson win his appeal, he'll be eligible to play in 2018. If not he'll have to sit out the season and won't be able to play until 2019, but no matter what happens, he'll have two seasons left to play.
If Shea Patterson is eligible to play next season then Michigan just became a threat again. Keep in mind that this was the top ranked QB of his class, someone who drew comparisons to Johnny Football for his ability to scramble and improvise on the move. Harbaugh has always shown the ability to mold a quarterback given they have the necessary tools - Wilton Speight just didn't happen to have those tools. As for Patterson, he's oozing with raw talent. He competed for the starting role from day one in Oxford and took over the reigns later in his first season for the Rebels, immediately showcasing why scouts marveled at his ability. He flashed many of the same skills early on this season before going down with a torn PCL. Assuming he comes back healthy with the same mobility, watch out.
He's going to help their run game, he's going to help their pass game, he is the type of player who can breathe life into what has been an incredibly slow, incredibly boring Michigan offense. Now Big Blue can run an offense that can keep up with the Buckeyes and Penn State, especially with the Nittany Lions bound to lose all world running back Saquon Barkley, starting quarterback Trace McSorley, and playmaking tight end Mike Gesicki. If you want a close Big Ten comparison for Shea Patterson, McSorley is a pretty solid one, albeit one with significantly less natural talent than Patterson.
If Harbaugh can keep his defense up to par (he can and will), look for Michigan to legitimately compete for a Big Ten Championship. Obviously Patterson will still have to compete with returning QBs Dylan McCaffrey and Brandon Peters - two players who were promised a quarterback competition - but seeing as how Patterson has already shown his playmaking abilities in an SEC West teeming with NFL, I'm confident he will be the guy. Assuming he can play this year, which knowing the NCAA is not even close to being a guarantee.
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