Sources: Ole Miss grants Shea Patterson's request to talk about a transfer

OXFORD | Ole Miss has granted quarterback Shea Patterson's permission-to-contact letter, allowing him to discuss transfer opportunities with other programs.

The NCAA form has to be approved by the current institution's athletics director, and it provides both Patterson and other schools the ability to legally within NCAA rules discuss recruitment as long as the other schools obtain the permission-to-contact.

The Ole Miss Spirit first reported the Rebels' execution of Patterson's request.

The permission-to-contact also allows Patterson to be placed on scholarship immediately should he choose to finish his career elsewhere. This maneuver isn't binding and is only an avenue to look at options.

According to Nola.com, Patterson's release would have restrictions to every SEC school and any Ole Miss regular season opponent the next two years. The restrictions can't block a player from transferring, but it keeps the player from being on scholarship at the new school the first year.

Sources have indicated for weeks that Michigan is one school interested in the former five-star quarterback. Greg Biggins, a reporter for 247, said the Patterson family would like to have a decision by December 20.

The Rebels were hit with an extra-year bowl ban (2017 and 2018) on Friday, the additional penalty to what Ole Miss had already self-imposed prior to the NCAA decision. The Rebels are appealing that part of the sanctions.

The second-year bowl ban allows rising seniors to transfer without having to sit out, however Patterson would have to file and receive a waiver to avoid being ineligible at another school in 2018. Sources tell RebelGrove.com that the NCAA would possibly be lenient with waiver requests involving Ole Miss non-seniors.

Patterson, who was the No. 1 quarterback nationally in the 2016 signing class, has three years to exhaust two years of eligibility. He has started 10 games in his Ole Miss career, throwing for 3,139 yards with 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

He injured his knee against LSU and missed the last five games of the season. Patterson set the school record with 489 yards passing in a win over UT Martin.

Patterson's brother, Sean, is an off-field assistant with the Rebels.