ANN ARBOR — Three spring practices in, Shea Patterson is already leaving different impressions with different people.
The transfer quarterback from Mississippi awaits a ruling from the NCAA on his eligibility for the 2018 season, but that hasn’t prevented him from practicing with the Michigan football team.
Until a ruling comes down, Patterson will compete with Brandon Peters, a rising sophomore, and freshman Dylan McCaffrey for the starting job.
“Shea is an interesting guy,” defensive coordinator Don Brown said Tuesday night. “He’s come in and sat with me. We talked a little bit about coverage. We’ve talked some football. Just really happy he’s here. He’s a tremendous young man.”
Brown’s story jives with what others have said about Patterson. During the week of the Senior Bowl, former Mississippi teammate Marquis Haynes characterized Patterson as a student of the game, big on watching game film and absorbing small details.
Finish to 2017 still fresh on Michigan football players’ minds
“He’s got a couple rocks loose,” Brown said, chuckling. “We’re not that sophisticated. I’m not sure you’re supposed to be.
“But no, we’ve got a nice, quiet relationship on the side. And I really enjoy his company.”
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound Patterson comes to Michigan from Ole Miss, where he started 10 games at quarterback over the course of two seasons. There he threw for 3,139 yards and 23 touchdowns, but was sidelined for the final five games of the 2017 season due to injury.
Known for having a quick release and an innate ability to move out of the pocket, Patterson brings an added dimension to quarterback Michigan hasn’t had in recent years.
“I like him,” defensive end Rashan Gary said. “He’s swaggy. I like the way he takes the snap underneath center. He’s a good, athletic kid. He’s got a big arm. And he likes to get outside the pocket a little bit, so I’ve got to watch how we contain.
“Coach makes sure we contain on him. Having him around changes the offense a little bit, but he’s a good kid.”
Harbaugh: ‘No update’ on Patterson’s eligibility
Patterson enrolled at Michigan in January, allowing him to start his class schedule right away and take part in winter conditioning. No matter the ruling from the NCAA, he would still be eligible to practice with the team during the season.
As for now, Jim Harbaugh said last week – after Michigan’s first practice – that all the quarterbacks were receiving equal reps. It’s unclear whether a ruling would affect that either way.
“I’m good friends with Shea,” tight end Zach Gentry said. “He’s a heck of a guy. I think a lot of the guys have gotten behind him, and helped him kind of understand what it’s like to be here.
“He’s kind of like Peters a little bit — maybe a little quiet. But I think he’s new here, so I can talk to him. He’s opening up more and more every day, I think.”
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