Shea Patterson announces return to Michigan for 2019

Shea Patterson will be back to quarterback the Michigan Wolverines in 2019. He made the announcement via an exclusive interview with Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News that was published on Friday to make it official.

“I’ve been thinking about it for the past month, ever since after that game,” Patterson told The News. “I just thought to myself there’s no way in hell I’m leaving this place on that note. Regardless of a draft grade, whatever the case may be, I would never end my career with an opportunity to come back with a loss to that team. That’s the one thing that has ignited me. I think one of the biggest things that impacted me coming back – one of them – was that last game in Columbus.

“I just felt we worked so hard and had such a good season leading up to that game. I was more upset that I couldn’t do enough to get us a win. I love the guys so much and let down the Michigan fan base, and I just felt like we all did that that day. That just brought a lot of emotions. Anger. I think anger was the biggest one. I hated to lose and even more, I hated to lose to them, especially with what we had in front of us.”

Patterson said in the interview that he decided he would be coming back to Michigan about a week or so ago.

“I think my original plan was to come here and help the team out as much as I could,” he said. “The thoughts were maybe come out after one year, so I think there might have been some speculation there. At this point, I feel like everybody thinks I’m coming back. Excited to get that out there so they know.”

Patterson competed 65 percent of his passes this season for 2,364 yards with 21 touchdowns and five interceptions and led a Michigan offense that was much more balanced than in previous seasons and gave Jim Harbaugh some of his best quarterback play since coming to Ann Arbor.

Patterson was seen as a potential mid-round pick this year, but had a chance to rise with a strong offseason in a weak class. Now, he will position himself for a loaded 2020 class and a chance to right some of the wrongs of this past season in Ann Arbor.