Many suspected Shea Patterson could be on the move following Friday’s announced penalties against Ole Miss handed down by the NCAA — which include a bowl ban for 2018 and reduced scholarships in future seasons — now that move is very much in play following news of the quarterback seeking, and receiving, permission to explore his options to transfer from the school.

David Johnson of 247Sports broke the news of Ole Miss giving Patterson permission to seek his full options and cites Michigan as a potential destination for the sophomore quarterback.

Antonio Morales of the Clarion-Ledger is also reporting the news of Patterson seeking permission to transfer from Ole Miss:

It should be noted that Patterson could still return to Ole Miss in 2018, he has not put in to transfer at this time, he is simply exploring his options. While rising seniors from the Ole Miss roster can transfer and play elsewhere immediately, Patterson may not have that option.

During Friday’s press conference, Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork was asked about how the transfer situation would work for Ole Miss players, here’s what he had to say:

“We know the poaching from other schools has already happened. Here is how it works. Anyone with one year of eligibility remaining, rising seniors, have to notify us of their desire to transfer and then the receiving institution may file for them to be immediately eligible. That is that process with kids with one year remaining. Anyone with multi-years remaining has to go through the normal transfer process. They have to arrive at their institution, that institution would have to file a waiver through the NCAA and then it would be evaluated through there. We don’t make that decision, that is the NCAA that makes that decision on multiple years remaining of eligibility.”

Patterson was the gem of Ole Miss’ 2016 recruiting class, which was rated among the top 5 in the nation that year. He was on track to redshirt his freshman season, but due to the season-ending injury to senior Chad Kelly, his redshirt was burned by former coach Hugh Freeze with three games remaining in the 2016 campaign.

The 2017 season wasn’t much better for Patterson, following the abrupt exit of Freeze, Patterson was lost for the season in the LSU game. In his place, junior Jordan Ta’amu filled in quite well and appeared to set up a fall competition for the starting role in Oxford heading into 2018.

Patterson has thrown for 3,139 yards, 23 touchdowns to 12 interceptions and rushing for 153 yards and another score in his brief appearances on the field for the Rebels.