When Jason Pellerin signed with the Rebels in 2015, coaches raved about his dual threat style and running ability. Many Rebel fans saw Pellerin having a great chance to be the future Ole Miss quarterback.
However, once top-rated 2016 quarterback Shea Patterson signed on with the Rebels, much of the hype surrounding the quarterback position went to him.
Jason Pellerin takes a snap during Monday’s practice. (Photo by: Lizzie McIntosh)
Despite this, Pellerin hasn’t been distracted by all the publicity surrounding Patterson’s arrival on campus.
“It doesn’t really affect me,” Pellerin said. “I mean, Shea, he deserves it. He’s a great guy. He’s a great player, and what he gets he gets. For me, I don’t blame (the fans) for not knowing who I am, because I came from a wing-t offense. I’m glad to have him here.”
Pellerin and Patterson played on opposing teams in high school, with Pellerin’s team losing very close games to Patterson’s team in the playoffs twice. Pellerin knows the two quarterbacks will likely be competing against each other again next year, but this time it will be for the Rebels’ 2017 season starting quarterback position.
“I think it’ll be great for the team honestly, two great quarterbacks battling for a position,” Pellerin said. “And it’s not like a hate thing. Because we played each other in high school, a lot of people thought, a lot of people thought we’d get here and have bad blood or whatever. When we get on the field it’s competition, but outside of that we’re great.”
Pellerin has a chance to be senior Chad Kelly’s backup at the quarterback position this year, but redshirted his freshman year on campus.
“I’m grateful for it,” Pellerin said. “I know a lot of freshmen, when they come in, they’re looking to play right away, but coming from the offense I came from and switching back to the spread, I felt it was a great opportunity for me just to learn this year, get better, learn the offense.”
Pellerin said that former quarterbacks DeVante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan both helped his development last year.
“They really helped me a lot. They took me in as their little brother, taught me the offense. They both wished the best of luck for me,” Pellerin said.
Pellerin said the game had slowed down for him a lot since he came to campus, but he still had areas of his game he was working on.
“The coaches and I, we all know that I need to get better at my footwork, just being balanced in the pocket and when I throw the ball. That’s what I really want to focus on this spring and summer,” Pellerin said.
– Cody Thomason
