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Illinois names former Indiana Mr. Football from Avon starting QB

Brandon Peters throws a pass for Michigan against Nebraska Sept. 22, 2018. The former Indiana Mr. Football is now a graduate transfer at Illinois and will be the team's starting quarterback. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP/WISH) — Former Michigan quarterback Brandon Peters has been named the starter for Illinois’ season opener Aug. 31 at home against Akron.

Peters, a graduate transfer, won Indiana’s Mr. Football award following his senior season at Avon High School in 2015.

Peters played 10 games with four starts at Michigan, passing for 680 yards and four touchdowns. He completed 58 of 110 passes in his first two seasons, including a career-high 20 completions for 186 yards in the Outback Bowl against South Carolina.

He beat out freshman Isaiah Williams, sophomore Matt Robinson and redshirt freshman Coran Taylor for the starting job.

“We loved Brandon when we got a chance to know him during the recruiting process,” coach Lovie 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.”

Peters transferred to Illinois this summer with two years of eligibility remaining.