Shea Patterson granted permission to explore transfer
Source is from Ole Miss's 247 site, also being reported by ESPN. Both sources saying Michigan is the favorite landing spot, but it's not guaranteed that he transfers.
From what I've seen if Patterson does transfer he would be required to either sit a year or apply for a waiver for immediately eligibility. It looks like the wheels are in motion.
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:52 PM ^
I hop the team doesn't drink Natty (those over 21!). Natty is some awful friggen beer, so awful that it shouldn't even be considered beer.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:23 PM ^
The only thing that concerns me is that this could hurt QB recruiting if it sets the perception that Harbaugh will always just chase the next shiny object.
Yes, you should expect to compete as a QB, but with this approach you never know who your competition is going to be.
It could be a turnoff for QB recruits who not be otherwise concerned about competition. You can say they should not feel this way, but if they do they do.
Harbaugh has to handle the messaging on this to his QBs skillfully. Something along the lines of "This is the Wilton Speight role (experienced QB) that you all thought you would have on the team 5 days ago, so nothing is really different. We can't have just 2 QBs that are underclassmen on the team."
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^
I have the same concern, but maybe to a lesser extent. It is something that should be considered, if this thing has legs. But I think you still have to take him if he wants to come, even if it causes some fallout.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:39 PM ^
Yeah, I'm not saying you don't take a guy like that (he is not necessarily a one-and-done, he has two years of eligibility left), but you don't want to make it look like some transfer du-jour is always going to show up every year.
Recruits crave stability more than anything else. That's not what stable teams do, or need to do.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:41 PM ^
Alabama still goes after grad transfers. Recruits like winning more than stability and if we are winning they will come.
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:00 PM ^
I am watching Stidham for Auburn in the SEC Championship game right now. Most of the best programs go after whoever the talent is. If it comes from transfers, so be it. It won't happen like that every year and Shea Patterson is freaking good. He is better than the two we have in my opinion. And that is saying a lot because I am a huge fan of both Peters and McCaffrey. Patterson is the kind of guy like Martell is for OSU, guys along the lines of Baker Mayfield. They aren't huge but can run and are accurate.
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:57 PM ^
I dunno... McCaffrey was the #1 QB in his class for most of the year. He dropped because he chose not to go to all of the camps, for whatever reason. Kid can play.
But yeah, bring in Patterson if he's eligible to play next year. Iron sharpens iron, and all that. Not worried at all about egos...
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:29 PM ^
Shiny objects are pretty rare though, aren't they? If you are really good QB, you are most likely heading the NFL not being a grad transfer.
I guess the other scenario is the Miss St problem of violations of the school. I don't see either one as a big trough of great QBs to pull from. I wouldn't want to count on that, but good recruiting.
I think it fair point to bring it up though.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:52 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 6:26 PM ^
I saw messages on this board expressing the same concern about QB recruits, when the idea of pursuing Taysom Hill as a transfer was raised. It didn't happen. So at the end of the 2016 season, UM had the choice of either playing an injured Wilton Speight or playing John O'Korn. Having seen that experience, I say let Harbaugh pursue any QB transfer prospect he wants. (Not that my statement has any real-world effect.)
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:33 PM ^
It could be.
This may just be a reaction to Speight leaving, but it seemed to happen awfully fast.
It feels like this was in the works . . .
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:48 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:54 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:27 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:27 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:29 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:30 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:30 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:44 PM ^
If he has to sit out a year, he may decide not to come here.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:32 PM ^
or you roll into the toughest schedule I've ever seen Michigan have with
1 Sophomore
3 Freshmen
Seems like an idea worth exploring to me.
December 2nd, 2017 at 6:01 PM ^
December 3rd, 2017 at 9:16 AM ^
Georgia also has a better OL than us and better RB's too.
Takes a lot of pressure off a young QB when he knows his protection won't break down after 1 second and that he has at least one NFL RB behind him.. not taking anything away from Jake Fromm, kid is very good but some perspective is needed. Not all situations are equal and apples to apples comparisons.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:32 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:36 PM ^
December 3rd, 2017 at 9:42 AM ^
There's no guarantee he's even elgibile to play in 2018. The Ole Miss bowl ban is for 2017 (this year) and 2018, so he would still be eligble to play in a bowl before his career is over. Seems to be, from a lot of comments here, that unless the bowl ban encompasses the remainder of his career he has to sit out a year.. which would be the case unless something strange happens, which of course it can.
I take him regardless, it'd be another bullet at QB and he's a talented kid. Iron sharpens iron.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:37 PM ^
He was the #1 dual threat QB recruit in 2016.
I hate to even ask this question . . . but why is he looking at Michigan?
Harbaugh and Winningest Program of All Time and all that great stuff, but we don't exactly run his ideal system.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:39 PM ^
Because "dual threat" doesn't mean "spread"
December 2nd, 2017 at 6:18 PM ^
Exactly and i believe if we had Baker Mayfield this year we are in the playoffs. Michigan's defense I believe will be tops in the country next year. Time is know and Harbaugh knows it and so does the big ten. Might as well bring in Little also and win the NC.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:44 PM ^
He was the #1 Pro QB according to 247, dual threat to rivals and ESPN. He had -16 rushing yards last year. Also Harbaugh lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl with Kaep. I don't understand your statement at all
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:49 PM ^
It's an honest question. There are 25 other top programs with systems that are much closer to what he's seen at Ole Miss for two years than Michigan's.
Just curious what the draw to Michigan specifically is. "Harbaugh University" / NFL ties? Something else?
Michigan is not the first place you would have thought he would go.
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:02 PM ^
I haven't looked at other programs that much, but if I'm a QB this is what I would be attracted to: 1. Immediate opportunity to start 2. Great defense and solid stable of RBs that will keep pressure off me to win every game single handedly 3. One of the best QB coaches in the country in Harbaugh and a stable staff 4. Opportunity to win a championship right away
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:08 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:37 PM ^
OK, that's the kind of info I was looking for.
I was curious, not critical, about this unexpected development.
December 2nd, 2017 at 6:03 PM ^
Harbaugh as QB coach, and all that. But also the Harbaughffense makes you NFL ready. If you can run his offense flawlessly, you'll get drafted because you will have proven you are ready for the NFL.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:55 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:04 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:39 PM ^
Cool. Sounds good to me.
I'm as tired as the next guy of losing to Ohio State because they have better QB play than us.
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:38 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:40 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 4:44 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:21 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 7:19 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:05 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:15 PM ^
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:02 PM ^
We should always have the luxury of choosing between at least 2 blue chip QBs at any time. Hoping we get back to that position fast. Having Peters and Patterson (and even D Mac) would be ideal.
GO BLUE!!
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:06 PM ^
Straight butter. I'm in.
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:10 PM ^
I think there has to be some interstate commerce laws the would prohibit the NCAAs ability to limit a top players freedom of movement in a case where his current team is under a bowl ban longer than his likely or even possible NFL draft year. Not allowing him immediate eligibility after transfering could hinder his ability to earn a living at the highest level. The Feds dont take kindly to rules that do such.
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:10 PM ^
I think there has to be some interstate commerce laws the would prohibit the NCAAs ability to limit a top players freedom of movement in a case where his current team is under a bowl ban longer than his likely or even possible NFL draft year. Not allowing him immediate eligibility after transfering could hinder his ability to earn a living at the highest level. The Feds dont take kindly to rules that do such.
December 2nd, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^
Now, if he were an employee... but thats a whole other debate.