Ole Miss has SEC-related restrictions on potential Shea Patterson transfer
The big news out of Oxford on Saturday is that star Ole Miss QB Shea Patterson was granted permission to seek a transfer to a new school.
That’s a huge blow for the Rebels, who were recently punished by the NCAA for several recruiting violations.
However, if Patterson wants to leave, he’ll have to choose his next location carefully, as Ole Miss has put some restrictions on his potential transfer:
Shea Patterson's release comes with stipulations: No SEC schools or teams on Ole Miss' schedule in next 2 years. #LSU is out
— Jimmy D Smith (@JimmyDetail) December 2, 2017
So, if you’re keeping track, that means Florida and LSU (and every other SEC team) is out, as are non-conference foes like Texas Tech, Cal and Memphis.
It’s worth noting that those restrictions don’t prevent him from transferring to another SEC school, but he wouldn’t be able to go on scholarship with that school right away:
Restrictions can’t block a transfer but it can keep a player from going on scholarship the first year. https://t.co/40zPuPzctn
— Chase Parham (@RivalsChase) December 2, 2017
Two schools that have been linked to Patterson as a potential landing spot are Michigan and UCLA, both of which he’s eligible to transfer to, per his release terms.
At the moment, it appears Patterson will have to sit out a year if he transfers, but he could still receive an NCAA waiver to play immediately, though that is no sure thing.
It’s not 100-percent certain that the star quarterback will leave Oxford, but if he does, he still has some intriguing options available to him.
Michigan would be interesting. Maybe even UCLA. I doubt he transfers unless he is pretty sure he can play right away. He could be declaring for the draft in about a year.
Especially with Chip Kelly at UCLA.
How can they place stipulations on their own punishment?
Was wondering same thing.
The NCAA sanctions only say that Ole Miss seniors are free to transfer without restriction and play immediately. Ole Miss is still free to place restrictions on all other players, including Shea Patterson. And it appears they have.
Never a good look, these restrictions, but there are legitimate reasons to transfer and stipulations strike me as unnecessary. It’s not like a loss to a team with Patterson is knocking them out of extra revenue at this point. JMO
It’s a damn shame. I understand the reasons for it, but in cases like this it should be unrestricted. We just watched Fisher jump to A&M and Mullen jump to Florida, moves that are ultimately paid for on the backs of football players. Ironic that Ole Miss breaks the rules and still can dictate transfer terms.
This transfer does not relate to the penalties. Only seniors are allowed to freely transfer. Wherever Patterson goes he will still have to sit out unless he is granted a waiver by the NCAA. Ever team in America puts certain restrictions on transfer players (including LSU with John Diarse and Trey Quinn). It’s a part of football and nothing Ole Miss is doing is anything special.
I realize that, but when a program is penalized for the duration of a player’s career, that player should be free to transfer anywhere anytime.
Duration of his career? He has 3 years left to play 2. If Ole Miss gets the 2018 bowl overturned then there will be no penalties in effect for the 2018 season.
there’s a very very very low chance they are gonna get that overturned.. I think Ross just needs to count his losses right now and start looking to the future. Fighting this will only make things worse. I don’t mean futher NCAA action but just bad press in general from constant “Ole Miss Appealing _____ Saction” articles.
Not a huge blow. He’d be on the bench next year due to his injury recovery. We got the Throwin’ Samoan anyways in Ta’amu. Ta’amu would’ve been the starter probably the whole year Shea or not. I’m more worried if this carries momentum with other players— specifically defense.
A great message to send your players.
“Hey guys, we ****ed up and now you can’t play in a bowl game for two years. Also, we’re not going to be able to recruit enough players to maintain quality depth on the roster, so you’re probably going to be playing with some walk-ons in the next couple years. By the way, you’re going to play here or sit out and transfer somewhere outside the conference whether you like it or not. Hotty Toddy!”