Former Ole Miss QB Shea Patterson has weighed in on why he decided to leave the Rebels and transfer to Michigan.

After much speculation, Patterson announced his intentions on Monday that he will indeed join Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines. Ole Miss is dealing with a number of transfers due to NCAA sanctions, but the departure of a talent like Patterson definitely stings for fans.

In an interview with Kyle Rowland with The Toledo Blade, Patterson explained his decision to leave the program. Patterson indicated that he does not like to “jump ship” but had to reevaluate his goals following the departure of Hugh Freeze and a bowl ban handed to the Rebels. Patterson’s goal in college is still to win a national championship, something that is not a current possibility for him at Ole Miss.

During his visit to Ann Arbor, Patterson said he had a really good feeling being around the players and envisioned himself playing for a coach like Harbaugh:

“I had a really good feeling around the players,” Patterson said. “How professional and business-like they were in practice really attracted me. It was just awesome meeting with coach Harbaugh. I could definitely see myself playing for someone like him.”

It remains to be seen if Patterson will be allowed to play at Michigan in 2018 or have to sit out a year due to transfer rules. He is petitioning the NCAA to receive immediate eligibility following the sanctions leveled at Ole Miss, and he indicated he is pretty sure he will win the petition:

“It’s in God’s hands,” said Patterson, who would compete with Brandon Peters and Dylan McCaffrey for the starting job. “From what I’m hearing, I’m pretty sure that I will win that and be able to play next year. If I don’t, I’ll work as hard as I can learning the offense and I’ll be playing the year after.”

Patterson also labeled it “doubtful” that he will be the only former Ole Miss player on Michigan’s roster at week’s end.

In the end, Patterson does have to do what he feels is best for his future, but Rebels fans will likely find it tough to watch him in a different uniform in the future.