Shea Patterson Sets Decision Date: Will Ole Miss or LSU Land 5-Star QB?

Coveted 5-star quarterback Shea Patterson plans to announce his collegiate commitment Tuesday, Feb. 17, providing a pivotal early decision in the 2016 recruiting cycle:

The 6'2", 195-pound prospect is rated third nationally among pro-style passers in 247Sports' composite rankings. He is listed 18th overall in his class after a sensational junior campaign at Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

Patterson completed 65 percent of his pass attempts, tallying 2,428 yards and 38 touchdowns through the air in 13 games. He's thrown for 5,083 yards, 72 touchdowns and just seven interceptions since 2013. 

"He can burn you because he puts the ball in a perfect spot," teammate and 4-star cornerback Andraez Williams told Bleacher Report.

His skills have warranted attention from collegiate programs across the country. 

Patterson initially pledged to Arizona as a freshman, but scholarships continued to arrive at a steady pace. His offer sheet expanded to include Alabama, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas, USC and Michigan by the end of his sophomore year.

He decommitted from the Wildcats last summer, less than two weeks after attending camp at LSU and receiving a Tigers offer.

Les Miles' team appears to be a primary contender as Patterson approaches a decision, though LSU already landed top-rated 2016 dual-threat quarterback Feleipe Franks. The Florida standout pledged approximately six weeks before Miles extended an offer to Patterson.

LSU is in serious need of quarterback talent. 

The Tigers managed just 162.9 passing yards per game last season, which ranked last in the SEC and 114th nationally. Sophomore Anthony Jennings and true freshman Brandon Harris combined to throw 17 touchdowns in 13 contests. 

Miles has successfully brought in an impressive haul of receivers during the past two recruiting cycles. He signed 5-star New Orleans target Malachi Dupre and all-time national high school receptions leader Trey Quinn last year, and he will welcome 5-star Tyron Johnson to campus this summer.

Despite an established relationship with the LSU coaching staff, things appear to be trending toward another SEC destination for Patterson. 

He traveled to Ole Miss last fall for a matchup with Auburn and returned in late January for junior day. Rebels coach Hugh Freeze may actually already hold a private pledge from Patterson, per David Johnson of 247Sports.

National recruiting experts have certainly identified a swing in momentum toward Oxford. Ole Miss holds 70 percent of commitment projections in 247Sports' Crystal Ball, while LSU is tied with USC at 15 percent. 

The Rebels have assembled an impressive 2016 class, rated second nationally in the composite rankings. Ole Miss is putting together an excellent offensive group, highlighted by a 4-star running back tandem (Justin Connor and Denzel Mitchell) and 5-star wide receiver DeKaylin Metcalf.

Patterson would provide further promise on that side of the ball. He and Metcalf are both considered top-25 prospects and would arguably be considered the best offensive tandem in this cycle. 

There's also the matter of family ties to Oxford.

His older brother, Sean Patterson Jr., is expected to accept a position with the Rebels, per Johnson. He previously served on the LSU staff last season.

When you add up the elements of his commitment and recent developments, Patterson appears set to pick Oxford as his landing spot.

Quotes obtained firsthand by B/R National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.