Former Ole Miss QB Shea Patterson signs baseball contract with Texas Rangers for 2019 season

Former Ole Miss QB Shea Patterson will be the heavy favorite to land the starting job as Michigan’s quarterback this season, but he’s already looking ahead to life after football.

According to a report from Tuesday afternoon, Patterson has agreed to a contract with the Texas Rangers for the 2019 baseball season.

Per reporter Evan Grant, Patterson, who was the Rangers’ 39th-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, has signed a contract to play with the team next season:

Martin Perez will pitch Thursday for Round Rock…. Jax Biggers No. 9 pick has signed… 39th round pick Shea Patterson has signed a 2019 contract to play after he completes his football eligibility at Michigan

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) July 3, 2018

The good news for Michigan fans is that Patterson will be able to quarterback the Wolverines this fall, when there will be hefty expectations on the team.

It’s unclear whether Patterson’s contract has a clause that would allow him to pursue professional football, especially since he could be a first-round NFL Draft pick if he plays well. Still, he at least has a pro baseball contract waiting for him, so he’ll have a decision to make next year.