Shea Patterson can lead Jim Harbaugh, Michigan to elusive Big Ten championship

Jim Harbaugh has the highest-ranked quarterback recruit he’s ever had after Shea Patterson transferred from Ole Miss to Michigan.

Shea Patterson is leaving Ole Miss for Michigan. The former starting quarterback for the Rebels announced his plans to seek a transfer two weeks ago after the NCAA handed out their punishment for their rules violations. Now those rumors are put to rest as Patterson announced his decision on his personal Twitter account on Monday afternoon.

Patterson was the No. 1 quarterback recruit two years ago according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings and a top-10 overall recruit. He started toward the end of his freshman season and was the starter this season for the Rebels before he was lost with a season-ending knee injury that kept him out of the last five games.

With Ole Miss facing an uncertain future under the NCAA sanctions, Patterson wanted to find the best place for him to finish his college career and get prepped for a career in the NFL. That place is Michigan where Patterson will learn from Jim Harbaugh who molded Andrew Luck at Stanford but has been unable to get sustained and consistent play from the Wolverines quarterbacks.

Michigan was decimated by injuries to the position this year that began with Wilton Speight as the starter before the job went to John O’Korn after he was injured. Then, O’Korn saw the job go to Brandon Peters, who was later injured, opening the door for O’Korn’s return. Peters is the only one returning for 2018 as does redshirt freshman and former top recruit Dylan McCaffrey.

Patterson will file a waiver with the NCAA for immediate eligibility. All seniors are eligible to transfer and play immediately, but non-seniors will be taken on a case-by-case basis. Should Patterson not be eligible for 2018, Peters or McCaffrey will vie for the starting job. If Patterson, is eligible, he will be the starter and could make Michigan the favorites in the Big Ten. I think he has a better than average shot at winning his appeal.

Next: Ranking The Top 25 College Football Dynasties Of All-Time

He has two years of eligibility remaining and will be eligible for the NFL Draft after the 2018 season, regardless if he’s eligible on the field or not.

Patterson threw for 2,259 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.