Peters Named Illinois Starting Quarterback
Michigan transfer tabbed as starter for Aug. 31 opener against Akron
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brandon Peters is Illinois’ starting quarterback, head coach Lovie Smith announced Tuesday. Peters, a graduate transfer from Michigan, will start the Fighting Illini’s season opener Aug. 31 against Akron at Memorial Stadium.
“We loved Brandon when we got a chance to know him during the recruiting process,” Smith said. “Now that we’ve seen him on the field, he has been everything we though 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.”
Peters is a former four-star recruit and the No. 3 pro style quarterback in the nation coming out of high school according to 247Sports. He graduated from Michigan in three years and transferred to Illinois this summer with two years of eligibility remaining.
The former Indiana Football Digest Prime 25 recipient and Mr. Football in the state of Indiana played 10 games with four starts at Michigan, passing for 680 yards and four touchdowns. He completed 58 of 110 passes (53 percent) in his first two collegiate seasons, including a career-high 20 completions for 186 yards in the Outback Bowl against South Carolina to finish his redshirt freshman season in 2017.
Peters will begin work on a master’s degree in recreation, sport, and tourism at Illinois this fall.