Former Michigan QB Dylan McCaffrey announces transfer destination

Former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Dylan McCaffrey announced his new football home on Sunday with the news that he has committed to play for Northern Colorado. This sends the former four-star recruit to the FCS level to play for his father Ed McCaffrey, who was hired to lead the program in Dec. 2019.

McCaffrey was a four-star prospect, the fifth-ranked pro-style quarterback, and the No. 123 player in the country in the 2017 class.

McCaffrey and Joe Milton battled throughout the offseason for the starting quarterback job heading into 2020. Things took a turn in the fall when Milton had surpassed him and Cade McNamara began to ascend, as well. He would opt out in the weeks leading up to the season after the Big Ten announced that it would return. Given that McNamara and Milton are still on the roster and five-star J.J. McCarthy is now on campus, it made sense to seek other opportunities.

McCaffrey was thrust into action for the first time against Notre Dame in 2018. He performed well given the circumstances and looked to be a solid backup to Shea Patterson. He suffered a season-ending collarbone injury during the Penn State game but had shown enough in limited action to suggest he might be the future at quarterback. He finished that year completing 8-of-15 pass attempts for 126 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran 10 times for 99 yards and a pair of scores on the ground.

Patterson struggled in a new offense to start the 2019 season and was benched during the third game of the season against Wisconsin. This gave McCaffrey his long-awaited opportunity, but a concussion during that game brought all that to a screeching halt and saw him miss a good chunk of the rest of the season. He finished the year 10-of-20 for 116 yards and one score. He also ran 13 times for 67 yards and one touchdown.