MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – University of Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill said Tuesday that quarterback Max Shortell is leaving the team and has decided to transfer.

The news comes with little surprise as freshman quarterback Philip Nelson is now the starter after MarQueis Gray suffered a knee and ankle injury against Western Michigan. The injury eventually forced Gray to play wide receiver the rest of the season.

Shortell threw three touchdown passes in a back-up role in that game, a 28-23 victory. Shortell had just three more touchdown passes over his next three games before Nelson took over as the starting quarterback at Wisconsin.

Shortell made three starts this season, beating Syracuse, losing at Iowa and at home to Northwestern.

“Max is an outstanding young man, and I respect and understand his decision to transfer,” said Kill. “I will help him in any way I can and wish him all the best as he continues his education and football career elsewhere.”

The Gophers (6-6) face Texas Tech (7-5) in the Meineke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 28.