MGoClimb

July 7th, 2015 at 5:11 PM ^

"We just want to get each other as prepared as we possibly can," Peppers said. "I know I'm not going to see too many guys better than him, and likewise. We just try to keep working each other. He's telling me what I'm doing wrong, why I didn't make that play or missed this, and I let him know."

The "him" is Freddy. Going up againt Peppers on a daily basis hopefully means good things for Michigan and terrible things for opponents when the season rolls around.

LSAClassOf2000

July 7th, 2015 at 5:30 PM ^

Things would be made considerably simpler for him if the crocodile has recently eaten Charlie Weis as it would therefore be spending far too much time on attempting to digest Weis to be too much of a threat. Even better, obviously it cannot drive the bus in such a condition, at least not comfortably, so it is likely on foot and more vulnerable. 

Ronnie Kaye

July 7th, 2015 at 5:43 PM ^

Good to hear. We need a deep threat if Harris can't go. Hopefully Canteen is a starter because I don't really see Chesson as good enough for a feature role.

MGoRedemption

July 7th, 2015 at 5:48 PM ^

Real Deal Jabril has both the talent and the off the field drive. Hopefully that translates into on the field success. I'm curious as to what people think he needs to achieve here to not be considered a bust (wish i don't think he will be).  Multiple first team all big tens? All-American? 

Yooper

July 7th, 2015 at 5:51 PM ^

Despite all the talk about Peppers, I think people still underestimate the impact that Peppers will have this year.  Think Woodson back in the day and drop him in your defense.  A guy of that skill takes a good defense and makes it great, and can mean an extra win or two. 

Please let him stay healthy. 

blueday

July 7th, 2015 at 6:04 PM ^

everyday. 

He is shutdown and the opposing QB will be on her back all day long due to coverage. 

 

Can't wait.  Jimmy ain't waiting till next year to let out the 'dogzz.

 

 

Mr. Yost

July 7th, 2015 at 8:00 PM ^

If the Michigan football quarterbacks thought this summer was their time to get comfortable, they now know better.

Jabrill Peppers is making sure of that.

"I'm making them better by trying to give them as much hell as possible," U-M's redshirt freshman safety said Monday, before his first day coaching at the Youth Impact Camp for at-risk Detroit kids. "So when they're in the game, they're already used to a crazy guy running in the backfield, or they're already used to somebody that's constantly in their ear. I do little subtle things that I think go a long way. But in terms of getting them better? That's just competing at the highest possible level."

By all accounts from the spring, Peppers lives at that highest competitive level, no matter the scene.

Waiting for the YIP campers to arrive, he was dancing in front of his teammates. When the kids got off the bus and headed to the Michigan Stadium field down the famed tunnel, Peppers was among the most vocal Wolverines cheering them on. When coach Jim Harbaugh was taking his time at the back of the pack, Peppers was jumping up and down in front of the 110 kneeling kids, waving his arms and trying to fire them up.

His intensity stood out to his teammates and new coaches in the spring. So far in the team-run individual workouts this summer, it sounds about the same.

Peppers and receiver Freddy Canteen said they yap at each other -- they're known as two of the team's most prolific (er, confident) talkers -- and that's what is pushing them.

"We just want to get each other as prepared as we possibly can," Peppers said. "I know I'm not going to see too many guys better than him, and likewise. We just try to keep working each other. He's telling me what I'm doing wrong, why I didn't make that play or missed this, and I let him know."

The transition to the new coaching staff meant a "new" position for Peppers. He was recruited as a cornerback -- the No. 2 overall player in the nation's 2014 class -- but had played safety his first two years of high school.

U-M's new defensive coaches put him back at safety in the spring, but Peppers doesn't want to be classified.

"When they say 'safety,' that's my predominant position. But I'm all over," insisted Peppers, who lost his true freshman season after playing in only 2 1/2 games because of injuries. "I'm nickel-guarding him (in the slot), I'm a corner spot. It's universal. It just depends on the scheme."

It's also part of the reason, when asked whether he and Canteen have raced to see who's faster, Peppers had a prepared explanation.

"We haven't raced but we do this thing in practice called speed groups, which is kind of like a race but in full pads. And fatigue sets in for different guys, so I don't really consider that a race," he said, grinning.

During the summer, the offensive and defensive players push each other in player-organized seven-on-seven drills, but Peppers and Canteen both want more.

Canteen has posted videos of his extra footwork efforts -- "It's up to us. The workouts are the same every day, but me and him and some others players, we go extra," Canteen said -- and Peppers has found his own unique training methods.

"I'm into boxing and hand-eye coordination," he said of his trips to local gyms, favoring TITLE Boxing Club recently. "Hand-eye coordination and footwork. I don't compete; I just train. I'll spar a couple times but I'm not trying to become a boxer. That's a whole different kind of focus."

And as for any quarterback separation? No hints from these two.

"I don't want to speak on the quarterback situation, just knowing that everyone is working," Canteen said. "Everyone brings their own flavor to the game."

From the sound of it, Peppers might be getting close enough to judge for himself.

Mr. Yost

July 7th, 2015 at 8:08 PM ^

Will be 1st team All-B1G, the kid will be an absolutely monster. I've never had so much confidence in a player - especially one who has 10 times as much in himself.

I cannot wait to watch this kid, and if Canteen is working with him and on his level mentally, then put him as the starting slot because that is the mentality you need to succeed at the major D1 level.