New Jabrill Peppers USA Today blog post. On Hand and Fournette: "I'm bringing both of them"

Submitted by a2_electricboogaloo on

Jabrill Peppers added a blog entry.  Amongst some other things he talked about recruiting.  Specifically, him recruiting Da'Shawn Hand and Leonard Fournette.

I talk to Leonard Fournette and DaShawn Hand a lot about coming to Michigan.

First, with Leonard I'm trying to stress to him the importance of us having Derrick Green. Derrick is one of the best young running backs in the country and with him taking reps along with Leonard they could be the best 1-2 punch in the country.

The best part is that it would preserve him more because he's not gonna have to take on the whole load by himself. He'll get a blow and we won't lose productivity on the field. Getting those breaks will allow him to have a longer career than most running backs.

It's a win-win. Plus Leonard really understands how big a Michigan degree would be for him so I feel good about him.

Then with DaShawn, I always tell him that we can make each other better. We can really feed off of each other because we're both playing on defense. We'll put the clamps on the receivers and he'll pressure the quarterback. It's the perfect compliment with both of us on the field at the same time.

They're both really cool dudes and really serious about their academics first. That's what I love about them. They're obviously really talented and whatever they decide to do they've got a fan in me, but hopefully they'll come join Team 135 and we can all start our legacies together and bring Michigan back where I know it's supposed to be.

Do I think I can bring them with me? Well, I'm a really confident person so I feel pretty good about it. Definitely about DaShawn because of our relationship and the type of defense that we run. Leonard will be a little tougher, but they call me the commissioner so I'm gonna put it out there right here on my blog: I'm bringing both of them.

You can read the rest here

gwkrlghl

July 10th, 2013 at 5:18 PM ^

Seriously though, does anyone have a sense of if any other school benefits from recruit-recruiting as much as we do? Guys like Ricardo, Shane, Wilton, Mike Ferns, Jabrill, etc, etc, etc have made a huge impact on our recruiting lately. Like, a huuuuuge impact

MGoStrength

July 10th, 2013 at 5:26 PM ^

I know we hear the phrase all the time of Michigan feeling like a family, but I really get the feeling our players and committs really want to return Michigan to glory and want our coaches and just the team as a whole to be successful more than some other programs.  Sometimes I get the sense athletes want to succeed for more selfish reasons, but I get the feeling our guys really appreciate each other and desperately want to see everyone be successful, not just themselves.

saveferris

July 11th, 2013 at 8:35 AM ^

Sounds like a good question for the former Michigan player guest speaker at the next MGoBlog Sports Power Weekend.

It's possible that recruits have always done recruiting on their own, but I'm guessing that the proliferation of summer camps coupled with the ubiquitousness of social media and the prestige given to recruiting class rankings are what is really behind this phenomenon.

CriticalFan

July 10th, 2013 at 5:43 PM ^

Am not about to start doubting you, Commissioner Peppers. bring them both to ann arbor, win those state track records, then start as a freshman.

Stopping short of rabacking it, but I've caught his confidence.

True Blue Grit

July 10th, 2013 at 6:27 PM ^

He's focussed on a goal.  He's confident,  He thinks big.  He shoots for the best.  Great qualities of a Michigan Man.  I thought Ferns was a great recruiter.  But he may have met his match with young Mr. Peppers.  The rest of this recruiting year should be interesting to say the least.

Eye of the Tiger

July 10th, 2013 at 6:42 PM ^

Is not just his confidence, but they way he manages to be so confident without any hint of arrogance. You get the feeling that he'll not only try to be the best he can be, but to encourage those around him to be the best they can be too. 

Awesome.

Farnn

July 10th, 2013 at 7:29 PM ^

My first impression reading that was being blown away by the writing style.  I'm sure he had some help editing it, but compared to what you see called "essays" some of the D1 football players, that was a million times better and he's not even a senior in HS.

Bo4President

July 10th, 2013 at 7:36 PM ^

son of a bitch this kids the bomb!!!!
Peppers, you bring both of them and your legendary status has already began brother before your first game.

Look at Shane Morris, guy is already god and hasn't even played yet. Everyone wants to see this kid throw the rock!!!

MichiganMan14

July 10th, 2013 at 7:52 PM ^

And if he keeps making this much sense im not going to be able to refer to him as a kid much longer. Cannot wait for this kid to enroll and get on campus. Brady Hoke found a gem here and the fact they he landed this kid speaks volumes to where this program is going. Go Blue and Go Jabrill!

Blue in Yarmouth

July 11th, 2013 at 8:33 AM ^

I can (barely) remember what it was like to be 17. I remember that most often the things on my mind where girls, partying and playing sports and anything else was lucky to get a second thought.

This guy is incredible to me, how focused he is on things that matter in life like his education and what could be his professional football career. Already trying to acclimate to what it will be like in University and trying to help his future team on the recruiting trail as well. I honestly get the sense that he belives he can do anything he puts his mind to, and he's is quickly making a believer out of me as well.