(Note: This is Part 1 of a series reviewing Michigan’s 2018 position groups and looking ahead to 2019).

Shea Patterson wasn't the first Michigan quarterback to begin his career with unrealistic external expectations. He won't be the last.

But all things considered — where this offense was before his arrival and how this could've turned out — Patterson handled all the pressure that comes with being a starting quarterback in Ann Arbor, while learning a new offense, as well as any quarterback Jim Harbaugh has had here.

In fact, he might've been the best.

"(This) was my first full season of college football," Patterson reminded reporters in December. "It's like (I'm) just getting a taste of it."

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Jake Rudock was another success story under Harbaugh in 2015, when he transferred to Michigan from Iowa and had a great year in an offense similar to the one he had commanded as a two-year starter with the Hawkeyes. And yet Patterson didn't have that luxury. He had played in just 10 college games when he transferred from Ole Miss in December 2018, and the offensive system he had been running in Oxford couldn't have been more different.

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Rudock also showed up to quarterback a team that had modest expectations from the fan base. Patterson showed up and was dubbed Michigan's savior by hordes of people without ever asking for it.

The 2018 season was not an exercise in perfection for Patterson, or Michigan's quarterback room at large. It was an exercise in stabilization, growth and plenty of hope for what's next.

And after resetting in each of the past four offseasons, Harbaugh's quarterback room appears to be in the best shape of his tenure. Led by a rising senior who can do much more if U-M's willing to let him.

Quarterback

Who’s eligible to return: Shea Patterson (6-2, 205), senior; Dylan McCaffrey (6-5, 217), r-So.; Joe Milton (6-5, 234), r-Fr.; Brandon Peters (6-5, 230), r-Jr.

Who’s gone: N/A

Who’s comingin: Cade McNamara (Reno, Nev.; 6-2, 202).

2018 recap

Against the three best teams on the schedule, Patterson threw for 650 yards, four touchdowns, four interceptions with a completion rate of 62 percent. Against everyone else: 1,950 yards, 18 touchdowns, three interceptions and a completion rate of 66 percent.

From an efficiency standpoint, Patterson was the highest-rated passer of the Harbaugh era at Michigan with a 149.9 quarterback rating, second only to Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins in the Big Ten. Patterson also was the best quarterback Harbaugh has had in terms of completion rate (64.6) and yards per attempt (8.0). Patterson had his share of hiccups in the bigger games, but Michigan's defense and overall offensive approach were more to blame than the player under center.

Patterson gave Michigan two things it hadn't had since the final half of Rudock's only season with the program in 2015: Pocket awareness and accuracy on the move.

His deep shots weren't perfect, but Patterson was generally very good with the number of medium throws Michigan allowed him to take. For a guy who finished ninth among Big Ten starters in pass attempts, Patterson tied for third in completions of 30 yards or more (18).

It took Michigan seven weeks to finally start utilizing the full package of what Patterson brings to the table in the run game, as his presence in the read-option game was critical during the heart of the Wolverines' 10-game win streak. Even if it inexplicably disappeared at Ohio State and against Florida in the Peach Bowl.

Patterson had a good season. Considering the learning curve, the limitations Michigan put on itself offensively with its refusal to operate with any type of tempo and the limited availability of Tarik Black combining with budding talents Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins, Patterson's year was very productive.

As was the position group at large.

2019 outlook

Michigan got growth from its starter in 2018, but it also found hope for the future with some impressive relief appearances from McCaffrey. McCaffrey showed his ability to be a dual-threat quarterback, played with plenty of confidence and command with his arm in limited time. His broken collarbone will be healthy enough for spring practice, or so Michigan hopes.

Milton got into three games this season and, frankly, we'll see. His arm is impressive, and he's physically advanced (6-foot-5, 234) for a player his age. McCaffrey's probably faster, but Milton's stronger and might be better built for an offense that asks its quarterback to throw and run.

And at the core here, that's what this has to be about: An advancement in offensive philosophy that allows athletic quarterbacks to be both athletic and disciplined with their arms.

Patterson will enter the offseason as Michigan's starter, but everyone should be allowed to compete. Peters appears to be low man on the depth chart here, as he fell behind McCaffrey early and was at least tied with a true freshman at the end of the year. He's suddenly a fourth-year junior now. If he stays, his climb looks to be uphill.

Most important, though, will be the way Michigan approaches its offense this year under first-year coordinator Josh Gattis. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins and Black are Michigan's best players. The quarterback has to be allowed to distribute the football to those players as much as possible.

Anything else is a schematic and systemic failure. There's no gray area with this.

Bottom line

Harbaugh's going to let everyone compete, no doubt. But it'll take a lot to knock Patterson off the perch. The real battle here should be for the No. 2 spot, as that player will likely have a leg up in an all-important 2020 quarterback race. And, of course, injuries happen — it's important to have depth and Michigan has a chance to build some.

When was the last time that happened?

Patterson grew plenty in 2019. A full offseason with these young receivers should only make him more polished as he enters the final year of his college career. He's a player the locker room likes and respects. He's someone this team will probably follow.

He can improve consistent touch on his deep ball and overall pocket patience, as there were times when he showed a tendency to fade away from the rush with his throws rather than find open space to step into deliveries (that happened plenty, too, by the way).

If he takes the natural steps to build on where he wound up — and Michigan doesn't saddle him with fullbacks, three tight ends and stale tempo all season — he could have a big year in 2019.

Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickbaumgardner. Download our Wolverines Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!