Main takeaways from Shea Patterson’s meeting with the media

Newly-named starting quarterback of the Michigan Wolverines, Shea Patterson, met with the local media on Thursday for the first time since head coach Jim Harbaugh announced he’d be the first guy to trot onto the field against Notre Dame.

Patterson talked for about 20 minutes, and he had quite a bit to talk about. Here are some key takeaways from his meeting with the media:

• It didn’t take Patterson long to adjust to the offense and the personnel. Michigan center Cesar Ruiz was his center in high school at IMG Academy, and Brandon Peters was his roommate at the U.S. Army All-American game. “That definitely helps,” he said.
• Patterson always had the mindset that he’d come to Michigan and get to work, noting if you have the mindset that you are the guaranteed starter, “you probably won’t be (the starter).”
• When asked about what he thinks about his weapons: “There’s so many of them. Zach Gentry, Sean McKeon, (Nick) Eubanks, Tarik Black, Donovan (Peoples-Jones), Nico (Collins), there’s so many guys, Grant Perry is gonna be huge for us in the slot. Just get the ball to them and let them make plays.”
• Harbaugh did not promise Patterson anything when they met in the winter. “He told me you’re going to have to come in here and compete” with the other guys in the quarterback room.
• Growing up in Toledo, Patterson used to go to Michigan games as a kid, and his dad even told him bedtime stories about him being the quarterback for Michigan one day. “It’s crazy to think I’m here at the University of Michigan and it’s a reality.”
• Patterson laughed at reporters when asked about Eubanks intercepting him for a touchdown in high school, saying it should’ve never happened because of a flag on the previous play. He seemed to take it pretty well, though, and is obviously happy Eubanks is now on his side.
• Patterson and former Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight have known each other for a while, but the now-UCLA quarterback told Patterson being the starting quarterback at Michigan is the biggest thing that’ll ever happen to him. Patterson, now being named the starter, understands the weight is all on his shoulders to guide the U-M offense to victory.
• Finally, Patterson said he reached out to one of the Michigan greats — Sir Charles Woodson. He called Woodson to get permission to wear the historic No. 2 jersey. Woodson, of course, pulled his leg at first and said no, but granted him permission, saying to “wear the number with pride” and he has to “be a leader” and “show the guys how hard you work.”