Perkis-Size Me

June 1st, 2014 at 1:24 AM ^

Well usually when you're ranked as a consensus top 5 player in America, you're already among the classification of "different kind of player." It's not like we're talking about a 3 star kid that most everyone hasn't heard of.



But I see what you're saying. If he lives up to his potential, he is a game changer in all three phases of the game. Hell, if he lives up to his potential, we're talking about Charles Woodson 2.0.

ThadMattasagoblin

June 1st, 2014 at 3:35 PM ^

They don't guarantee anything but 5 star players tend to be better. Dorial Green Beckham, Matt Barkley, Keith Marshall, Todd Gurley, Marcus Lattimore, Jadeveon Clowney, TJ Yeldon, Trent Richardson, Manti Te'o, etc. were all 5 stars. If it didnt mean anything then why do all the top schools offer these guys.

LSAClassOf2000

May 31st, 2014 at 9:49 PM ^

Here's the YouTube embed. Working on the plug-in issue in the OP - not sure if that's a universal problem or a local (i.e., "some of us", as I can't see it either) problem.

justingoblue

June 1st, 2014 at 4:15 PM ^

If MGoBlog was accurate (the news article isn't archived) Denard actually ran a 10.28 and had the fastest 100m in the nation at one point during his senior year. Apologies to Denard, shouldn't have doubted him.

I believe 10.55 was something significant, though. Maybe his junior year state finals or something?

poseidon7902

June 1st, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^

To put this in perspective for those of us who didn't enjoy running for strictly the sport of running, the world's record fastest time for men is 9.58.  For women, it's 10.49.  So he's just shy of being faster than the recorded fastest woman, and under a second slower than the fastest man.  That's booking.  

Raymond Reddington

June 1st, 2014 at 4:06 PM ^

Jamaican Usain Bolt bolt owns the top two fastest 100 meter times of 9.58 and 9.63.  After that America Tyson Gay and Jamaican Yohan Blake join Mr. Bolt in being the only humans to run under 9.70 as each has recorded 9.69.  Being a second behind in a 100 meter dash equates to about 10 meters.  

American Florence Griffith-Joyner, affectionately known FloJo, shocked the world in 1988 by demolishing the former women's 100 meter record by 2.7 seconds; from Evelyn Ashford's 10.76 - the first woman to break 10.80 - to an amazing 10.49.  However, at the time of the race, the wind was blowing well above the legal limit at 4.4 meters per second (m/s) as recorded the triple jump annometer merely 10 meters away from the race.  But, the Olympic official monitoring the trackside anemometer said there was no wind, thus the time stands as accurate.  FloJo's next best time was over a second higher at 10.61.  

Wolverine Jabrill Peppers ran a 10.51 last year - 17th fastest in the country for boys compared to the girls fastest of 11.34 and the boys at 10.27.  This year's 10.52 mark is the 22nd best mark.  Further evidence of his national class speed is his 200 meter times: 21.13 was good for the 24th among all prepsters.  Suffice it to say, there will likely be nary a soul who can catch Jabrill or few that he can't catch from behind. 

LB

May 31st, 2014 at 10:40 PM ^

There is nothing wrong with never having watched Tyrone Wheatley. I am not going to let this thread pass and omit Wheatley.

I'll just post this link.

http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/denard-v-tyrone-wheatley-87-and-88-yard-td-…

Wheatley ran a 10.46 100 in '95. That was a track result, he might have dropped weight for track, but he played at 235ish.

None of this is intended as disrespect for Peppers, of course. I would be happy if he were to take Wheatley's place near the top of the list of my favorite players, all-time.

UMfan21

May 31st, 2014 at 11:22 PM ^

Glad you posted that because I was going to look up Wheatley's 100m. He was my favorite athlete as a kid. Still haven't seen that blend of speed and power since.

MFanWM

May 31st, 2014 at 11:23 PM ^

He was an unbelievable athlete, but would have gotten beaten as he ran a 10.59in HS.  I remember watching him win the 100, 200, 110m hurdles and the long jump in 1990 in HS. 

Although, given the fact he ended up at 235 and was running even faster in college, it will be interesting to see where Peppers ends up with additional growth, strength and coaching.

LB

June 1st, 2014 at 12:11 AM ^

shoes, as well as with early 90's era coaching, S&C and nutrition. One or two things have changed since then, it is impossible to make a direct comparison.

Regardless, he is gone and Peppers is headed this way!

rob f

June 1st, 2014 at 1:18 AM ^

both Wheatley and Butch Woolfolk when I saw Peppers' 100 meter time. 

As impressive as those times are for Peppers and Wheatley, Woolfolk has them both beat:  10.36!  He was an All-American in Track, so here's something that shouldn't surprise: when he left U of M, he held the school record in the 100, 200-, and 300-meter dashes, besides being a member of several record-setting relay teams.  34 years after he set it, he still holds the U of M 200 record (20.59), and his relay teams still hold U of M records in a couple different relay events.

After looking up the track stats of Butch, I doubt there's ever been a faster RB at U of M, and probably few (if any) at any position with more footspeed.   

LB

June 1st, 2014 at 1:47 AM ^

I didn't want to sound too nostalgic, especially in a 'zomg  Peppers!' thread. If the record board still sits above the door into the fieldhouse, visitors owe it to themselves to read that 200 record, and consider how many elite elite track and field athletes have attended Michigan in the years since that record was set.

 

MGoStrength

June 1st, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^

I'm curious what it is about Wheatley that you like do much?  Of course I liked Wheatley as well because he was a successful player.  But, he played behind some great offensive lineman like Hutch, Everitt, Runyan, Payne, etc.  Although he was obviously fast, I never thought he looked it on the football field.  He didn't seem to have a lot of wiggle to him either. I always thought he was a bit over-rated.  It only took one look at Biakabutuka for me to forget about Wheatley.

LB

June 1st, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^

I don't know a lot about these things. Here, listen to Keith Jackson: Wheatley Tribute 

Add to that the fact that Wheatley was local - he grew up in Michigan.

He returned for his senior year.

The nation's best player, Tyrone Wheatley, could've taken the money and run. Instead, he kept a promise to a little boy - SI Article, 1994

In '94, Biakabutuka was listed as the #3 tailback, with Wheatley fighting injuries. You didn't get to watch him much until Wheatley left.

In '94, Wheatley (and Biakabutuka) ran behind Jenkins, Runyan, Payne, Marinaro and Guynes. Yes, Wheatley enjoyed the company of Hutch and Everitt through '92. I have a hard time seeing that as a mark in any negative column, sorry.

In '95, Biakabutuka ran behind Runyan, Adami, Payne, Marinaro and Jansen. I don't think Michigan forgot how to block between '94 and '95. 

Beyond that, think  what you will. I'm not going to sit and pick apart the career of two of Michigan's great running backs. Biakabutuka deserves his share of accolades, I am glad you are here to show Touchdown Tim some love.

To the list below, we can add membership in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

Football Highlights:

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (1992)

Big Ten rushing champion (1992)

Big Ten scoring champion (1992 & 1993)

Rose Bowl Player of the Game (1993)

All-Big Ten football (1992–94)

Big Ten team champions (19911992)

MHSAA state champion (1990)

Michigan High School Player of the Year (1990)

Track & Field Highlights:

Big Ten 110 metre hurdles champion (1994)

All-Big Ten track & field (1994)

Big Ten team indoor champions (1994)

8-time MHSAA state champion (1990–91)

All-American (college outdoor) (1995)

All-American (high school)

Michigan High School Runner of the Year (1991)

Records:

Michigan single-season yards per carry (min 75 carries, 1992–)

Michigan single-game yards per carry (min 15 carries, 1992–)

MHSAA long jump (1991–)

LB

June 1st, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^

I don't consider myself qualified to judge "best ever". I was only making a feeble attempt to defend the inclusion of Wheatley on my personal list of all-time favorite Michigan Players.

Blue Carcajou

May 31st, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^

10 years from now I can't wait to hear recruits say, "I just remember looking up to guys like Shane Morris, D-Green, and Jabrill. That's why I wanna go to Michigan. I wanna follow their tradition."

We need new Woodsons, A-Trains, and Bradys... Jabrill will be a good start.