Report: Wilton Speight could return to Michigan if Shea Patterson is ineligible

As of right now, Michigan has just five games of experience from their quarterbacks, with Brandon Peters owning all five of those games. Of course, transfer Shea Patterson has starting experience, but not with Jim Harbaugh’s offense at Michigan.

But Harbaugh and company may be getting a lot of experience back if the NCAA rules Patterson ineligible, as Wilton Speight is reportedly open to returning to Michigan if Patterson is unable to play in 2018, according to Nick Baumgardner of the Detroit Free Press.

Transfer players are required by the NCAA to sit out for the first season at their new school. However, Patterson has a unique circumstance (the Hugh Freeze stuff at Ole Miss) and may be deemed eligible to play immediately. It is unknown when we will know if Patterson is able to play in 2018 or not, but the ruling will play a huge role in Michigan’s quarterback situation next year, which is why Speight may be interested in coming back. Hell, at that point Harbaugh may be interested in him coming back, too.

I would be perfectly fine with Speight coming back if Patterson isn’t able to play in 2018. Speight has a ton of experience with the team, is a team leader and has the respect of the other players. He was clearly the best quarterback in 2017 before going down with a season-ending injury, and I know that isn’t saying a ton given the quarterback situation this year but Speight had the potential to lead Michigan to more than just eight wins.

If Patterson is ruled ineligible by the NCAA and Speight does not return, Michigan’s quarterback room will consist of Peters, redshirt freshman Dylan McCaffrey and true freshman Joe Milton. True freshman Kevin Doyle would also be in the mix, but he has yet to officially sign with Michigan. There is talent there, but it’s unproven talent.

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