Michigan expected to host Ole Miss transfers, including QB Shea Patterson
Michigan is preparing for a huge recruiting weekend, one that could potentially alter the perception of the Wolverines heading into the 2018 season.
Tuesday afternoon, ESPN college football recruiting analyst Tom VanHaaren confirmed that Michigan is expecting three transfers from Ole Miss to visit campus this weekend, including star quarterback Shea Patterson. The other two are safety Deontay Anderson and receiver Van Jefferson.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has already met with Anderson, according to VanHaaren.
Confirmed that Michigan is expecting Ole Miss potential transfers, Shea Patterson, Deontay Anderson and Van Jefferson, to visit this weekend. Jim Harbaugh met with Anderson today, outside of Ann Arbor, and is expecting Anderson on campus this weekend…. https://t.co/ck50xsdZou
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) December 5, 2017
The headliner of that group is obviously Patterson, who is regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Considering the struggles Michigan has had under center since Harbaugh arrived in 2015, the former Rebel gunslinger could bring some life to a relatively mundane offense.
Because Ole Miss is banned from a bowl appearance next fall due to NCAA sanctions, seniors were permitted to transfer from the program and will be immediately eligible for competition.
Patterson played in seven games for the Rebels last season, throwing for 2,259 yards and 17 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. He completed passes at a 64 percent clip, as well.
Michigan has had trouble at quarterback the last three seasons, but particularly in 2017. The Wolverines went through three quarterbacks — Wilton Speight, John O’Korn and Brandon Peters — with two getting injured at different points in the season. With Speight transferring out and O’Korn graduating, the position was expected to be Peters’ moving forward.
But if Harbaugh can land a proven talent like Patterson, the most important position in football would suddenly become a strength for the Wolverines.