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Jim Harbaugh’s prayers answered: Shea Patterson to be eligible in 2018

By Brad Berreman

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 30: Shea Patterson #20 of the Mississippi Rebels looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 30: Shea Patterson #20 of the Mississippi Rebels looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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After appealing for immediate eligibility at Michigan, Shea Patterson will reportedly get the result he was looking for.

As part of the fall-out from the NCAA sanctions levied against the Ole Miss football program, quarterback Shea Patterson announced he would transfer to Michigan. He also appealed for immediately eligibility in 2018, based on Ole Miss not being forthright about the NCAA investigation.

After some recent back-and-forth between he and Ole Miss, Chris Balas of The Wolverine has reported Patterson is expected to be ruled eligible to play for Michigan this year. An announcement could come as soon as Friday.

Jim Harbaugh came back to Ann Arbor to coach his alma mater with great fanfare in 2015. The pair of 10-win seasons to start his tenure were nice, but last year things fell off with an 8-5 record (5-4 in the Big Ten) and a second straight bowl loss.

Harbaugh has yet to find a capable quarterback for Michigan. Injuries have played some role in that, and 2015 starter Jake Rudock was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2016. But the Wolverines had the 111th-ranked pass offense in the country last year (171.2 yards per game), with more interceptions (10) than passing touchdowns (nine). On the heels of Wilton Speight announcing he will transfer to UCLA, Patterson’s arrival will be even more welcome.

Patterson was the No. 1 pro-style quarterback and the fourth-ranked overall prospect in the 2016 recruiting class. He made three starts at the end of his freshman season, with two 300-yard games and multiple passing touchdowns in all three contests (six total). He started 2017 similarly well, with over 2,100 passing yards and 17 touchdowns over the first six games, but a right knee injury against LSU in that seventh game ended his sophomore season early.

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There are no lingering concerns about the condition of Patterson’s knee, as he participated in spring practice for Michigan with very positive reviews. Now, as long as things come to fruition as expected, he’s the clear favorite to start the Sept. 1 season opener on the road against Notre Dame.

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