Michigan atop Patterson's list of suitors

12/6/2017
BY KYLE ROWLAND
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
  • Patterson29

    University of Mississippi freshman Shea Patterson practices with local football players at the St. Francis de Sales School football field in Toledo, Ohio in 2016. Patterson is reportedly interested in transferring to Michigan.

    The Blade/Cameron Hart
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    • ANN ARBOR — It could be a huge recruiting weekend for Michigan.

    And not because members of the class of 2018 are set to commit.

    Instead, the Wolverines will reportedly have a trio of Ole Miss players on campus, including Toledo native Shea Patterson. Brandon Justice of TheWolverineLounge.com first reported the news.

    Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was in Oxford, Miss., Tuesday, where the University of Mississippi is located.

    Patterson, the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the country two years ago, grew up in Toledo before moving to the South. He, along with safety Deontay Anderson and wide receiver Van Jefferson, will be in Ann Arbor on Saturday, presumably at Michigan’s basketball game versus UCLA.

    Patterson, a sophomore, completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,259 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions before a season-ending knee injury in the season’s seventh game.

    Anderson was a second-team All-SEC selection as a freshman in 2016. He sat out the 2017 season after Ole Miss was levied with NCAA sanctions. Anderson petitioned Ole Miss and the SEC to be eligible to play immediately wherever he transfers.

    Jefferson, a sophomore, has 91 career receptions for 999 yards and four touchdowns. 

    The Rebels received their penalties last week, which includes a bowl ban for 2018. The NCAA is allowing seniors to transfers and be eligible immediately. Yahoo’s Pat Forde reported Tuesday that the same benefit could be extended to all Ole Miss players.

    Patterson, who grew up a Michigan fan, committed to Rich Rodriguez-coached Arizona in 2012, where Matt Dudek was the recruiting coordinator. Dudek now has the same title at Michigan. Patterson’s former IMG Academy teammate and center Cesar Ruiz is a true freshman on the Wolverines.

    Contact Kyle Rowland at krowland@theblade.com, 419-724-6110, or on Twitter @KyleRowland.