For fans of the University of Michigan football program, the 2018 college football season cannot come soon enough. After a disappointing season which saw them lose to their biggest rivals (Michigan State and Ohio State) once again, the hope is that this season will bring different results.
But the biggest question this offseason has been who is going to be the starting quarterback when the Wolverines take the field against Notre Dame in the opening game? Will it be Brandon Peters, who took the reins down the stretch in 2017 or will it be Shea Patterson, the transfer from Ole Miss, who is still waiting official word as to whether or not he will be able to play for Michigan immediately?
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Well, though Patterson would not just be given the keys to the car without having to earn it, it sounds like he will get his chance.
According to a report from The Michigan Insider, Patterson is expected to be granted immediate eligibility as early as this Friday.
From The Michigan Insider:
“The Michigan Insider is able to confirm published reports that Patterson is expected to be granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA with the news coming as soon as Friday. As of a week ago, the U-M programs confidence was at about 90%. On Thursday, TMI can also confirm that the confidence level has risen.
The granting of eligibility ends a relatively nasty situation involving head coaches, athletic directors, lawyers and the players themselves, with Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork going back and forth with Patterson lawyer Tom Mars for the better part of the last three months.”
Though there has been no official word from Michigan or the NCAA, this has to be some rather encouraging news for fans of the Wolverines who watch the quarterback debacle during the 2017 season.
Nation, if Patterson is indeed granted immediate eligibility, will he take Michigan football to the next level? Will they finally beat Ohio State under the helm of Jim Harbaugh?