LOOK: Former Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson honors Dwayne Haskins in USFL debut
While making his debut for the USFL’s Michigan Panthers, former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson sported a tape armband with “Simba7” written on it in black marker in honor of Dwayne Haskins. The former Ohio State Buckeyes starter died last weekend at the age of 24.
Patterson and Haskins were in the same recruiting class coming out of high school in 2016. Despite their collegiate careers overlapping in the Big Ten, the duo faced off just once in 2018. The Buckeyes, ranked No. 3 at the time, took down Michigan to the tune of 62-39 in the late November matchup.
The Washington Commanders drafted Haskins as the No. 15 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft after a standout career at Ohio State. With the Buckeyes, he was First Team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten Championship MVP in 2018 before also winning Rose Bowl MVP. After two seasons with Washington, Haskins moved on to Pittsburgh where he was getting ready for his second season.
Shea Patterson threw for 8,800 yards in four collegiate seasons. He spent two years at Ole Miss and two at Michigan, throwing 68 touchdown passes and 27 interceptions. After failing to stick in the NFL, Patterson entered the USFL draft. The Michigan Panthers selected him in the first round.
With the touching tribute on his arm, Patterson ended Sunday’s season opener going 17-for-24 for 192 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 31 yards on 7 carries.
As Buckeyes fans continue grieving the loss, Ohio State played an emotional tribute video for their fallen alumni on Saturday at the spring game. There was a moment of silence prior to the start of the game, and starting quarterback CJ Stroud walked onto the field bearing Dwayne Haskins’ name on the back of his jersey.