The three players are QB Shea Patterson – a player whose name has been most connected to a transfer to Michigan – along with WR Van Jefferson and S Deontay Anderson.
Patterson is the most obvious name. The former No. 1-ranked QB recruit in the country played a lot as both a true freshman and sophomore at Ole Miss. Patterson went down with a knee injury against LSU that knocked him out for the season, though it’s expected to not affect his play next year. Before the injury, in just seven games, Patterson threw for 2,259 yards, completing 63.8-percent of his passes, along with 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Most notable: His best game came against Auburn, he went 34-of-51 (66.7%) for 346 yards, along with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Jefferson has had two nice seasons, and was highly-touted by Jim Harbaugh out of high school, having high interest in the Wolverines as a recruit. Jefferson dislocated his elbow late in the season, causing for a drop in stats. In 9 games played, Jefferson caught 38 passes for 424 yards and a touchdown. As a freshman in 2016, Jefferson caught 49 passes for 543 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Enjoy @VanJefferson12‘s freshman highlights from last year. Love the way this guy plays. #12Days pic.twitter.com/FVWhGCK6vO
— Ole Miss Ink (@OleMissInk) August 21, 2017
As for the safety Anderson, his chances to start at Michigan are high, given the less-great-than-expected play from Michigan’s safeties this season. Anderson would compete with 1-year starter, junior Josh Metellus. Metellus had a decent season, but missed a lot of tackles, wasn’t great in coverage, and gave up some big plays in the process of those mistakes. While his services are more than good enough to start, adding Anderson to the equation would put a dent in his chances. Anderson recorded no stats in 2017, but his freshman season lead to an SEC All-Freshman selection. He totaled 32 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and an interception, appearing in every game with one start.
UPDATE: TWL learned on Monday morning that Anderson was visited by Jim Harbaugh on Monday. According to a source, the two went out for breakfast in the morning. We expect to have a full recap of the visit when it’s over.
Deontay Anderson (Damon Sayles/Twitter)
All three have a realistic shot at landing up in Ann Arbor for their final years of school. The visit Saturday will be pivotal in that decision.
With the multiple transfers by Michigan players, this makes for a lot of room for – not just the 2018 recruiting class – but transfer players as well.
Patterson is the top priority, that’s obvious. Regardless, don?t undersell the importance of another talented WR like Jefferson in Ann Arbor, on top of a safety in Anderson that could overtake the No. 1 job over rising junior Josh Metellus.
The continuing development of this story will be updated. For now, expect no changes in the trio?s plans to be in Ann Arbor on Saturday.