COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

Illinois names Michigan transfer Peters starting QB

Field Level Media

August 20, 2019 at 10:51 pm.

Illinois coach Lovie Smith has picked Michigan graduate transfer Brandon Peters to be his starting quarterback.

Peters, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, is a former four-star recruit who played in 10 games (four starts) for the Wolverines.

“We loved Brandon when we got a chance to know him during the recruiting process,” Smith said in a statement.

“Now that we’ve seen him on the field, he has been everything we thought he would be. He has really thrown the ball well and is a better runner than he’s given credit for. Most importantly, he has moved into a leadership role for us. We’re pumped up about Brandon leading us heading into the season.”

Illinois starts the season Aug. 31 against visiting Akron.

Peters, who completed 58 of 110 passes for 680 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions at Michigan, was behind Shea Patterson and Dylan McCaffrey on the Wolverines’ depth chart after spring ball. He announced his transfer in June.

Peters beat out redshirt freshman Matt Robinson, touted true freshman Isaiah Williams and redshirt freshman Coran Taylor.

Illinois finished 4-8 last season, including a 2-7 record in the Big Ten.