While new Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson has been projected by some as a potential early-round NFL draft pick even before he takes his first snap as a Wolverine, it's also possible that Patterson could pursue a career in professional baseball.
After being selected in the 39th round of last month's MLB draft by the Texas Rangers, Patterson reportedly signed a contract on Tuesday to play baseball for the Rangers organization after he finishes his college football career at Michigan, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.
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
Patterson's decision to sign with the Rangers shouldn't be taken as an assumption that he will stop playing football after this upcoming fall. Considering that he hasn't played baseball since his junior year of high school, the Ole Miss transfer and former five-star quarterback recruit still appears to have a far better shot at playing in the NFL than he does in the MLB.
But even if Patterson decides to return to Michigan for his final season of collegiate eligibility in 2019, he could choose to begin playing professional baseball in the Rangers' organization as well.
He wouldn't be the first quarterback to pursue careers in both sports simultaneously; former N.C. State and Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson spent some time playing minor league baseball for the Colorado Rockies organization in 2010 and 2011 – while he was still playing college football – and spent some time with the New York Yankees in spring training this March even though he is now the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.
Patterson, who started 10 games for Ole Miss over the past two years, is expected to be Michigan's starting quarterback this year, though he will continue competing for the job with Brandon Peters and Dylan McCaffrey in fall camp.
