Michigan Football: Shea Patterson return is possible but not likely

There have been more rumors about Shea Patterson and Michigan football trying to seek a fifth season. It’s possible but it’s not likely he returns.

One of the hottest rumors swirling around Michigan football right now is the possibility of Shea Patterson returning for a fifth season.

The argument is that Patterson only played in three games as a freshman. Of course, that was before the rule changed and allowed freshmen to play in four games without burning a redshirt.

Carlo Kemp is looking at a similar situation and it sounds like he will petition for another year and there’s a lot of speculation that Patterson could do the same.

Well, it is possible and according to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider ($), the Wolverines may look into what kind of determination Patterson could get, if he decides to go down that road, because right now, he appears headed to the NFL draft.

"“Heading into the weekend folks in the program did raise the topic and said determining his fifth year status would NOT be a protracted process… and added that an answer could be obtained rather quickly. So it sounds like something Michigan MIGHT look into formally. It wouldn’t hurt anything and doesn’t obligate Shea to return.”"

Patterson is already scheduled to take part in some college East-West Shrine Game after the bowl season, which would lead you to believe he’s looking ahead to the draft. Here’s what he said about the topic Sunday night at Michigan’s awards banquet:

“I haven’t looked into it honestly,” Patterson said. “That’s something I’ll have to sit down and discuss with my family, as far as the future goes. But right now, I’m just focused on this bowl game.”

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Obviously, another protracted battle with the NCAA wouldn’t serve anyone’s interests, because the draft is this spring. But if it came quickly, it could be a possibility, although it’s hard to know how the Michigan football fanbase would react.

Lots of fans believe Patterson is really underrated. He is 19-6 as a starter and Michigan has been fairly successful during this run outside of beating Ohio State and other top-10 programs. Patterson does have a 2-0 record against Michigan State and a win over Notre though.

A win over Alabama would also give him a second straight season with 10 wins as a starter plus a signature win as the starting quarterback. It should also help his draft stock if he plays well. He did put together three 300-yard games in the last month of the season, however, his draft stock still seems to have fallen over the course of the season.

Could another year help his draft stock? It’s hard to say. His performance and the performance of the Wolverines offense would need to be better. His return could also mean the loss of someone like Dylan McCaffrey or Joe Milton to the transfer portal.

All in all, there is a lot to consider but it still feels very likely that Patterson’s last Michigan will be in the Citrus Bowl, against Alabama.