Ole Miss pulling redshirt off QB Shea Patterson

Senior writer

Fri, Nov 11, 2016, 10:45 PM

Shea Patterson was the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2016. (Getty)

Ole Miss is going to utilize freshman quarterback Shea Patterson in the wake of Chad Kelly’s season-ending injury.

Kelly suffered a torn ACL and lateral meniscus in the Rebels’ 37-27 win over Georgia Southern last week. And instead of going with backup quarterback Jason Pellerin as Kelly’s replacement, the team has decided to remove Patterson’s redshirt and start him Saturday vs. Texas A&M.

Source: Ole Miss QB Shea Patterson will have his redshirt pulled and play this weekend vs. Texas A&M.
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) November 11, 2016

Ole Miss' Hugh Freeze told me that pulling Shea Patterson's redshirt was best for the team and gives the seniors "the best chance to win."
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) November 11, 2016

Patterson, a freshman, was the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback (and No. 3 player overall) in the class of 2016 according to Rivals. The hope, of course, was that Patterson could save a season of eligibility as Kelly finished his college career. But with Ole Miss clinging to its bowl hopes at 4-5, coach Hugh Freeze clearly feels that winning now is better than an extra year of Patterson potentially later.

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A&M is also starting a backup quarterback on Saturday. Trevor Knight is out for the season after suffering a shoulder injury vs. Mississippi State and Jake Hubenak will start vs. the Rebels.

After playing Texas A&M, Ole Miss plays Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. Both Vandy and MSU are below .500, so Ole Miss has a shot at making a bowl game at 6-6 even with a loss on Saturday.