Exit Jabrill Peppers
Farewell. [Patrick Barron/MGoBlog]
After wrestling with a decision many thought was a foregone conclusion, Jabrill Peppers informed Sports Illustrated today that he will enter the NFL Draft:
“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Peppers said. “I’m choosing between cementing my legacy as a college player and starting my pro legacy. It’s something you dream of when you were a kid. I was torn between the two.”
Peppers said he ultimately came to a decision this weekend while visiting his family in his native New Jersey. He informed Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh of his decision in a meeting in Harbaugh’s office on Monday. “He thanked me and told me it was a pleasure to coach me,” Peppers said. “I told him it was a pleasure to play for him. He molded me for the next level, that’s how he operates. He runs his program like an NFL team. He’s done more than enough to prepare me for this moment.”
Peppers leaves Michigan as a Heisman finalist and consensus All-American, not to mention one of the most explosive, versatile, and entertaining players ever to grace the field at the Big House. Whether as a hybrid linebacker or safety, he should be selected in the top half of the first round.
When a pulled hamstring kept Peppers out of the Orange Bowl, we got a preview of what the VIPER(!!!) position could look like in his absence. Sophomore-to-be Josh Metellus took most of the available snaps at the position with junior-to-be Noah Furbush providing a more traditional linebacker look against heavier sets. Sophomores Khaleke Hudson and Jordan Glasgow and freshman Jaylen Kelly-Powell will also compete for snaps as hybrid safety types, as would Willie Gay if he ends up in the 2017 class; sophomore Josh Uche will push for situational snaps as a pass-rush specialist.
While it would've been wonderful, to say the least, for Peppers to return for one more season, no reasonable person could blame him for beginning what should be a long and lucrative career in professional football. He'll be a fascinating player to follow at the next level; he was a delight to watch at Michigan.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:07 PM ^
Naturally, I have been swirling around in my head who the next Jabrill Peppers could be.
Metellus has proven his tackling credentials and is next in line for the VIPER, Otis Reese (2018 commit) is a natural OLB and fits the athletic mold, Khaleke Hudson's frame is almost identical and will most likely play safety... but there's always something missing with all of them.
There are so many great players that will come through, but to have equipped the frame, speed, instincts, and all-around skillset is only a product of a truely rare player. What it is about Jabrill that will endure is his character: a passionate and intelligent young man whose wisdom is only evidence of his perseverance as a child. You saw it in interviews, when talking to press, how he engaged his fellow Heisman candidates, his leadership on the field, and the class of his pursuits outside of football.
For those who have been paying attention, Jabrill is a role model, and, without question, will find success in the NFL. Can't wait to watch him in the Combine. Can't wait to see where he's drafted. Can't wait to see him succeed in his adult life.
To Jabrill, a true Michigan Man, and to all of the faithful: forever, GO BLUE!
January 10th, 2017 at 4:02 PM ^
i'm booking my hall of fame induction ceremony tickets right now.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:08 PM ^
Thanks for the thrills. (Strangely enough, despite his great punt returns, I was just happy to have him back there receiving punts. Sure hands, great decision making, etc. Seems like we went through a number of years plagued by fumbled punts, or scared returners letting punts roll by for an extra 10-20 yards at times.)
January 10th, 2017 at 4:05 PM ^
I will always be impressed with how well he took the years of constant abuse from OSU trash on twitter. I don't know how he did it.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:12 PM ^
It's not going to get any better. He'll die without being able to say he beat osu.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:06 PM ^
I'm sure coach Harbaugh told him the same.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:07 PM ^
No words but "thanks". Thanks for committing to us and sticking with us during a time of turmoil. What a great pleasure watching you perform with the winged helmet on.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:08 PM ^
Jabrill!
January 10th, 2017 at 4:12 PM ^
Michigan football fans should be very proud of him.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:18 PM ^
Best of luck to Jabrill. I hope he has a HOF career in the NFL. He is one of my favorite players in a very long time. I always appreciated his enthusiasm and passion for UM.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:20 PM ^
The team that drafts Peppers will become my new favorite NFL team. Sorry Lions.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:22 PM ^
needs another year
January 10th, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^
Let's keep the Jersey pipeline flowing unobstructed. Just to peeve Rutgers.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:33 PM ^
Farewell, sweet prince. :'(
January 10th, 2017 at 4:35 PM ^
Thanks for the great memories, and all the luck in the world in the NFL!
January 10th, 2017 at 4:36 PM ^
memories...
January 10th, 2017 at 4:51 PM ^
Fun again.
All the best JP!
January 10th, 2017 at 5:39 PM ^
Congratulations Jabril, and Go Blue
January 10th, 2017 at 5:44 PM ^
This young man is a great example of integrity, grit and talent....we will miss you....best of luck!!!!
January 10th, 2017 at 5:56 PM ^
Who lands him? Whoever does will immediately become one of my favorite teams.
January 10th, 2017 at 6:09 PM ^
and may you not be drafted by the Browns.
January 10th, 2017 at 6:23 PM ^
Thanks for all the memories! A Michigan Man not to forget about! Thank you for working hard for these last years on and off the field, you are very talented, hard working, and smart football player and young man.
Hope to see you do great things in the NFL!
January 10th, 2017 at 6:47 PM ^
What an awesome player he is... I'll miss that flash of #5 screaming through the line for a TFL, or to force a hurried, errant throw.
When that Clemson punt returner ran backwards 20 yards to fair catch on the 5, all I could think was how unfortunate for Clemson that they didn't have Peppers back there!
Good luck in the NFL, man!!
January 10th, 2017 at 6:55 PM ^
I am sure going to miss this guy. He has been one of the most fun players to watch in my nearly 50 year lifetime. It has been a joy. Sigh...
January 10th, 2017 at 8:42 PM ^
I had a small glimmer of hopw that he would stay, especially after he sho down previous repoorts that he was already declaring. Hate to see him go.
January 10th, 2017 at 10:56 PM ^
Thanks for the memories Jabrill. How long before the RCMB declares Michigan will be 3-9 next year without him when they said he sucked for 2 years?
January 10th, 2017 at 11:03 PM ^
Michigan Man
January 10th, 2017 at 11:35 PM ^
killed it. He was the best LB/S/CB/QB/RB/SR/WR/PR/KOR since Joe Montana.
January 11th, 2017 at 2:46 PM ^
Montana wasn't half the QB Jabrill was
January 11th, 2017 at 8:42 AM ^
This is totally expected but it still sucks. Very obviously the right decision for him, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt for us. He only played out sophomore eligibility and didn't play in a bowl game. Basically it's a football version of Mitch McGary. And we deployed him very poorly on offense this year. For a change, it sure would be nice to have a 5* guy who not only lives up to his billing, but who we can also get at least three solid years out of.
January 11th, 2017 at 10:32 AM ^
a fellow New Jersey native and Bergen County guy leave the program early. You were an inspirational player and a great role model for Michigan. May all your dreams come true as a pro player and may you get on a team that appreciates your talent and ability by playing you where you the greatest asset for your team. I only wish we could have watched you play just a little longer. Selfish, I know, but I appreciate all your efforts in making Michigan great again under Coach Harbaugh. Go out and work hard but enjoy the fruits of all your labor. You deserve it.
January 11th, 2017 at 4:21 PM ^
Man time goes so fast looking forward to seeing his NFL debut
January 12th, 2017 at 11:39 PM ^
What a great player and person. Had so much fun this season watching how many different ways Harbaugh used him on Off/Def/STs. I have to imagine he will kill it at the combine and at least one or two GMs/HCs will fall in love with the possibilities of having him on the roster. Hope he ends up in a great place and has a HOF career.
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