Ex-Michigan quarterback Brandon Peters named starter at Illinois

It appears Michigan football is one step closer to playing against a familiar face this season.

Illinois named Brandon Peters as its starting quarterback Tuesday, marking the latest stage in the journey of the U-M transfer.

The Wolverines play at Illinois on Oct. 12.

Peters entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer earlier this summer with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Upon arriving at Illinois, Peters beat out freshman Isaiah Williams and redshirt freshmen Matt Robinson and Coran Taylor. He was the only quarterback on the roster with starting experience after M.J. Rivers transferred this spring.

Peters originally signed with Michigan in the class of 2016 as coach Jim Harbaugh's first hand-picked quarterback recruit. The former 4-star recruit redshirted his first season at Michigan before competing for the starting job in 2017. He was one of three quarterbacks who started for the Wolverines that season, making three starts in the regular season and winning against Minnesota and Maryland. Peters was knocked out of Michigan's loss to Wisconsin with a concussion and subsequently missed the Wolverines' loss to Ohio State.

Before Michigan's final game of the season in the Outback Bowl, the Wolverines secured a commitment from Shea Patterson, who was transferring from Mississippi.  Peters then made what would be his final start at Michigan against South Carolina in the Outback Bowl, completing 20 of 44 passes for 182 yards and two interceptions.

Peters ultimately lost the starting competition that offseason to Patterson, who received immediate eligibility and started all 13 games in 2018. Peters went through the season with Michigan and competed in spring practices before opting to transfer.

Contact Orion Sang at osang@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @orion_sang. Read more on the Michigan Wolverines and sign up for our Wolverines newsletter.