All speculation has been officially answered. The NCAA has ruled that Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson will be eligible to play in 2018.
Michigan officially announces QB Shea Patterson will be eligible to compete in the 2018-19 academic year
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) April 27, 2018
The release cites a recently approved NCAA Division I Council amendment to transfer waiver guidelines for transfer players seeking immediate eligibility. The amendment was effective on April 18.
http://gty.im/866717792
The official statement:
“Following notification of this change, the University of Mississippi promptly reached out to the University of Michigan, to discuss how these new standards could impact the University of Mississippi’s support of a transfer student-athlete’s desire to compete immediately at the University of Michigan. The University of Mississippi and the University of Michigan have worked together over the last several days in conjunction with the NCAA national office staff, and with a focus on the best interest of the student-athlete, to put forward a new waiver application. That new application was submitted this week by the University of Michigan and supported by both schools. The University of Michigan has withdrawn its previous waiver application and all associated materials in favor of this new, cooperative approach based on facts which all parties agree to. The waiver has now been approved by the NCAA and thus football student-athlete Shea Patterson will be eligible to compete in the 2018-19 academic year.”
Patterson may enter the fall as the leading candidate to become the Michigan starting quarterback, a position they’ve struggled with the last few years. With three different starters last season, Michigan completed just nine touchdown passes – their lowest total since 1975.
He was a full participant in spring drills for Michigan and spoke about his work ethic.
“I’m a hard worker, it’s something I really take pride in,” he said in December. “And I’d like to think I’m a quick learner, too. I try to pay attention to detail. I think I’ll fit right in. I’m not sure how long it’ll take, but I think I’ll be able to get it down pretty quick.
“They have an awesome offense coming back and any way they can utilize me, I’m sure they will. I’m just going to do whatever they ask me to do.”
