Jabrill Peppers inscribed "R.I.P" on his black eye patch

Submitted by bluecrush on

Good piece on Peppers, inspiration for his determination and how long he plans to stay at Michigan.  Good read, info many may know but good read any way.

 

Spoiler:  Peppers says he is definitely staying until he gets his degree however long that is.  :)

http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110615aaa.html

bluebyyou

November 7th, 2015 at 10:39 AM ^

While It would be nice if Peppers stays, I'm always torn by this type of decision.  

If a kid is good enough to be a first round draft choice and make millions of dollars, I think it makes sense to go for it, particularly someone with the type of maturity and work ethic that Jabrill has.  He can pick up his degree in the off season.  I have memories of people like Sam Bradford playing the extra year and incurring a serious injury, to say nothing of the type of wear and tear a multipurpose player like Jabrill receives from the amount of playing time he gets.

UofM626

November 7th, 2015 at 9:14 AM ^

Today's game and our secondary for this year. I gave up on the whole how we're gonna look next year and the year after when Hoke recruited the hell out of players and have nothing to show for it in terms of wins or in draft picks. I'm solely focused on this year only. Next year is next year. But love me some Peppers

chicagowolverine02

November 7th, 2015 at 9:41 AM ^

He's slowly becoming one of my all time favorite Wolverines, in any sport. Such a great kid off the field and his on-field play speaks for itself. I love him like I love(d) Denard and Kovacs and others.

umgoblue2008

November 7th, 2015 at 11:35 AM ^

hype when he passes the eye test on the field as a freshman. Obviously he doesn't have the stats to back it up yet, but it really comes down to how many years he decides to stay and if he can remain healthy (knock on wood). 

Not to be down on Norfleet as he's one of our own but I don't believe he has a touchdown during his time here.

aratman

November 7th, 2015 at 11:57 AM ^

Denard was the best player on a poor team,  Peppers may be the best player in the country and may be a once in a life time talent.  He jumped over a guy to break up a pass and ran for a touchdown from the QB position in the same game.  I watched Woodson and he is the best I have seen by the time he was done.  Peppers is something different could be a new benchmark.  

UMgradMSUdad

November 7th, 2015 at 9:50 AM ^

What an incredible young man, and that's even aside from what he does on the football field. Sadly, "we ain't come here to play school" is a common attitude of many of the college football players I've encountered through the years. The kind of effort he puts into his academic career places him among the elite. 

TA2

November 7th, 2015 at 9:55 AM ^

Great article, thanks for sharing! We are fortunate to have him as a Wolverine on the football field, but it sounds like he's on the path to having an amazing impact on humanity as well. Go Blue!



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alum96

November 7th, 2015 at 10:35 AM ^

Just being realistic I don't see him here past next year.  If he builds on this year he and Adoree Jackson both could be top 10 picks as a pair of unique "do it all players" you usually only run into once every 6-7 yrs.

USC three-way standout Adoree' Jackson has played 123 snaps on offense, 282 on defense and 78 on special teams this season.

The FannMan

November 7th, 2015 at 10:36 AM ^

Watching him reminds me what it was like to watch Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson. They all can do things that just aren't possible. Diving catch on an overthrown call against ND? No problem. Jumping in the air and getting a foot down to pick a throwaway against State? Done. Lining up alone against a three WR set and blowing up the play? Check.

You just shake your head in amazement.

Zok

November 7th, 2015 at 11:09 AM ^

Great article. Great kid. UM lucky to have him. Just hope we get more which doesn't seem to unrealistic to me. Homer goggles aside.

----

I mea neg away but lets not over-hype Peppers. Will get Heisman talk next season bc we are MICHIGAN and he plays 5 positions for us.

He is great and will be a 1st rd pick after Jr year. That just makes him a once per year talent in CFB.

This just shows how weak the talent - true playmaker talent - at UM over the last 10 years.

The elite of CFB (Bama, LSU, OSU, USC in the day, even UF on D, FSU..etc) have a player like Peppers on the roster every season. They just don't need him to play QB/WR/RB plus CB/LB/Safety bc they already have good players at that position. Lack of depth and playmakers on this team is why Peppers seems like a man among boys on our team.

FWIW, Denard is/was just as talented as Peppers and last I checked he's the same generation. Damn near every other year LSU has a DB equally a freak. Bama probably every 3 years. TN had Eric Berry. Myles Jack at UCLA can do it all. McCaffery at Standford I'm sure can play 5 positions if needed. Hargraves at UF. Braxton Miller at OSU (if they would use him). Honey Badger..etc..etc

 

Hopefully with Harbaugh we have 1st rd NFL talent starting in the back seven every season. Then we'll be like LSU, Bama, OSU, FSU, UF..

 

justingoblue

November 7th, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^

Harbaugh used the same word I (and everyone else) had been using, "special". I saw a couple Denard comparisons further up the thread, and one thing they have in common is losing a brother at a very young age and not liking to talk about it.

Peppers isn't as effusive and magnetic as Denard is/was, but him clicking with Woodson makes complete sense. He's not at that level (yet) but they both give off the same kind of self assured vibe that actually calms me down a bit during games.

 

Wendyk5

November 7th, 2015 at 1:23 PM ^

I know some guys like to get to the NFL as soon as possible but these four undergrad years only come around once in your life. Being in Ann Arbor for those four years is a great stop along the way - enjoy it while you can.