Ole Miss QB Shea Patterson, former IMG Academy star, transfers to Michigan
Former IMG Academy quarterback Shea Patterson’s time at Mississippi is over. Patterson announced Monday on Twitter that he’s transferring to Michigan.
The Wolverines conducted spring football practices at IMG in 2016, though Patterson already was an early enrollee at Ole Miss by that point.
In Monday’s social media message, Patterson thanked the people, teammates and coaches at Ole Miss.
— Shea Patterson (@SheaPatterson_1) December 11, 2017
Patterson’s transfer was set in motion when Ole Miss was hit with NCAA sanctions following several rules violations. Due to the sanctions Ole Miss is facing, the NCAA is allowing Ole Miss players to transfer without the penalty of sitting out next season, according to the Detroit Free-Press.
Patterson and two Ole Miss teammates, safety Deontay Anderson and wide receiver Van Jefferson, took an official visit to Michigan this past weekend.
Former IMG Academy teammate Cesar Ruiz, who is a true freshman at Michigan, was in charge of keeping the three entertained during their visit, according to MLive.com.
“He does a lot well,” Ruiz told MLive.com. “He can throw the ball and run the ball. I think he’d be a good fit in anybody’s program. He’s a great quarterback.”
In 2017, Patterson threw for 2,259 yards and 17 touchdowns in seven games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
One of his biggest moments came in 2016 when, as a freshman, he engineered a fourth-quarter comeback in an upset victory over then-No. 11 ranked Texas A&M on the road.
Patterson’s chance to play as a true freshman came when Ole Miss starting quarterback Chad Kelly suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Prior to college, Patterson had several suitors. Showing signs of the college version of Johnny Manziel during his brief IMG Academy stay, Patterson, who is from Shreveport, La., was a hot commodity as the No. 1-rated pro-style quarterback in the country.
Jason Dill: 941-745-7017, @Jason__Dill
This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 1:49 PM with the headline "Ole Miss QB Shea Patterson, former IMG Academy star, transfers to Michigan."