Peppers hinting at return?
"It was a tremendous experience. Hopefully I can do it again."
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 11, 2016
- Heisman finalist @JabrillPeppers in NYC. https://t.co/Q1JZEx2gLd
December 10th, 2016 at 11:11 PM ^
"It was a tremendous experience. Hopefully I can do it again."
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 11, 2016
- Heisman finalist @JabrillPeppers in NYC. https://t.co/Q1JZEx2gLd
December 10th, 2016 at 11:12 PM ^
December 10th, 2016 at 11:24 PM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 12:05 AM ^
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December 11th, 2016 at 2:34 PM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 3:17 AM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 6:40 AM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 9:10 AM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 11:41 AM ^
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December 11th, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 5:07 PM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 9:22 AM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 11:32 AM ^
Those that let life guide them to money tend to be infinitely more happy than those who live for money. It is possible to have it all, especially for such an impressive individual like Jabril. He will make the right decision.
December 11th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
The negs are probably coming in because:
1. We're biased and want him back next year.
2. He can take out a term (1-year) insurance policy on himself to payout in the event of a career ending or very compromising injury. I'm not sure that it was officially confirmed but I've heard that both Taylor Lewan and Jake Long did this when they returned for their senior years following late 1st / early 2nd round draft grades.
3. 5th in Hiesman voting? I'm cool with Lamar Jackson winning it after putting up video game numbers... But Dede and Mayfield are not half of what they are without the other and putting both of them ahead of Peppers was just highway robbery. I think he's frustrated with it. We're frusterated with it. There's no reason to believe that Peppers won't be a finalist next year.
4. He wants his degree and it doesn't sound like he'll be done this winter / spring. He's a bright kid and might only need 1 more semester but that would be fall '17.
5. For the NFL he's a tweener right now. His coverage isn't up to snuff to be an elite safety (but the potential is there), but his ability to take and get off of blocks isn't up to playing linebacker. Versatility is nice and all, but the NFL demands that you excel at ONE POSITION - all others be damned. Peppers is the type of generational talent who excels in college, but will just be another starter in his position for a few years in the NFL. I have no doubts that he grows into a great role somewhere, but it may take some time. If he can display the skills necessary to excel in a singular role in the NFL I suspect he'll go in the first 5 picks. If not, he's gonna be a 1st/2nd round tweener cause teams don't really know where to slot him.
EDIT: All that said, I support whatever choice he makes for his life. I don't think there's a "wrong decision" here.
December 11th, 2016 at 4:11 PM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 8:04 AM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 9:34 AM ^
Babyblu shut the hell up. If he wants to get his degree then let him. Hell, some rich and successful UM grad will probably give him a job just because he stayed another year at Michigan. I'd be that guy if I could. As much as I enjoy watching his talents, when he got into the NFL, I'd probably rarely see him play more than once or twice. Hate the NFL except for late in the playoffs and superbowl if I even like watching both teams.
December 11th, 2016 at 10:05 AM ^
or even late first. He will go somewhere between 5 and 20, book it.
December 11th, 2016 at 12:21 PM ^
The only thing he needs to do is what he wants to do. If that means staying then that is what he needs to do. If that means leaving then that is also what he needs to do. What he doesn't need to do is what some talking hands on the internet says he needs to do.
December 10th, 2016 at 11:47 PM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 11:28 AM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 11:58 AM ^
I find your perspective to be top-notch. I am 45 so can now say all the damn cliches are true about do what you love, relationships are everything, and life is short blah blah blah...
Jabril is obviously exceptional and I suspect he recognizes opportunity presents itself in many more ways than the all-mighty immediate dollar our society worships. Indeed once you reach a certain income threshold, experience totally trumps financial wealth. He will easily reach this threshold simply by being a damn fine human. I think his return is 50/50 and I wish him all the best with the decision.
December 11th, 2016 at 12:24 PM ^
December 10th, 2016 at 11:12 PM ^
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December 10th, 2016 at 11:14 PM ^
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December 11th, 2016 at 9:41 AM ^
December 10th, 2016 at 11:13 PM ^
December 10th, 2016 at 11:16 PM ^
December 10th, 2016 at 11:29 PM ^
Agreed. But I was think about this at length today...the honest assessment for Peppers is different than 99% of the players out there.
He's a #10-#20 type pick, IMO.
He's not going to fall lower because of his athleticism, but he's not going to go any higher because of his athleticism, again IMO.
Stay with me.
99% of guys can improve their draft stock with the combine, I do not believe Jabrill can. IMO, he's already done all he can do and it's just a matter of which mid-first round team wants/needs him.
Stay with me.
If Jabrill runs a 4.40 and is the fastest LB and safety in the draft, is he REALLY going to go any higher? No. Everyone already expects him to be a freak athlete and test out of this world.
The analogy I thought of earlier is...if Usain Bolt wanted to play in the NFL and ran a 4.0 in the combine, is that going to improve his draft stock? Of course not. People know he's fast.
Jabrill can't show he can play LB or cover WRs at a combine running around cones. It just doesn't matter for him like it does for everyone else.
So IMO, if he wants to be a bonafide top 10 pick, he has to come back and get better on defense. Have more film. Get more coaching. In the meantime he gets a shot at a Heisman and National Championship.
But turning down #10-20 is a LOT to pass up. I just don't think he's really got a shot to improve his stock like other guys in the 10-20 range.
December 10th, 2016 at 11:40 PM ^
Don't most mock drafts have him projected 5th or thereabout? I think it's pessimistic (or optimistic I guess) to think he'll fall into the 10-20 range. He's a projected top 5-7 pick, I won't complain if he comes back but I would go if I were him.
December 10th, 2016 at 11:44 PM ^
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December 10th, 2016 at 11:48 PM ^
There are a lot of sites that project him going 5th to the Jets. The draft isn't solely based on production, it's based on potential and Peppers arguably has more of that than anyone else in this draft.
December 10th, 2016 at 11:49 PM ^
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December 10th, 2016 at 11:53 PM ^
This is the only good argument I've seen for him to return.
December 10th, 2016 at 11:54 PM ^
It would suck playing for the Jets sure, but making top 5 draft pick money would sweeten the deal a bit. I know he values a college degree considering how hard his mom worked to get one and raise her kids alone, but coming from a rough upbringing like he had if he wants to jump at the first chance to make millions and better his and his family's situation who could blame him? Besides, if he views himself as a safety at the NFL level, is he gonna come back to Michigan to play LBer again, or is he better off learning how to play safety with the NFL team that drafts him? It's not as simple as "he could come back and have a better season and get drafted higher"
December 11th, 2016 at 12:53 AM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 11:30 AM ^
In fact, if anything, he's been more conecerned with pleasing his family and making sure he graduated with his class. As it is, he's really only had a couple years of college ball. And he would be young by NFL standards.
While I agree that the injury risk is an issue, his status is different from other players in that his profile will not lessen by staying another year. In fact, he will automatically garner Heisman and All-American consideraton before he steps on field to play again. What's more, if he does stay he can protect his future with an appropriate insurance policy. College is the best time of your life.
I look at Devin Funchess, and in year two as a pro, he's still trying to find his way on the Panthers and in the league. He flashes potential but he is hardly a go-to option for his team. The Panthers traded up to get him in the second round and he really is still a work in progress just as Jabrill would be his rookie year.
I support whatever choice Jabrijll makes about his future. But I think he knows that the money will be there and that carving out his own place in the college game can only enhance not shortchange his game going forward. I mean injury can sideline you at the pro level too and make your sudden impact a less than certain prospect. Either way, though, Jabrill has been a terrific Michigan man and team leader.
December 11th, 2016 at 2:29 AM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 5:20 AM ^
He would have more media coverage and endorsement deals in NY/NJ. Playing in NY/NJ would enhance his post-NFL career.
December 11th, 2016 at 5:27 AM ^
NFL Teams draft based in what a player can do over the next 5-10 years, not what they did over the past 1-2 years. A lot of Heisman trophy winners didn't get drafted very high and some did not get drafted at all (Charlie Ward).
December 11th, 2016 at 9:16 AM ^
December 11th, 2016 at 1:36 PM ^
Did you know Ward went to the NBA, took 0 hits (no cte) and made more than most NFL players with guaranteed money? Where would you go given those options? He wasn't drafted because he indicated roundball was his future.
December 11th, 2016 at 1:36 PM ^
Did you know Ward went to the NBA, took 0 hits (no cte) and made more than most NFL players with guaranteed money? Where would you go given those options? He wasn't drafted because he indicated roundball was his future.
December 11th, 2016 at 2:04 AM ^
He will be off the board before 10. Woodson and how good of a season he had has nothing to do with where Peppers goes in the draft. There are a few teams from 5 to 10 who are known to be interested including the Jets.
December 11th, 2016 at 8:39 AM ^
Based on his talent and ceiling (he has not reached his full potential) he's a top 5 pick. But teams picking in the top ten usually have more pressing needs than a safety. He'll go 15-20 IMO, not because he's not a top athlete but because teams like the Browns or Jaguars have bigger needs to fill. It'll probably end up being better for him to fall to a decent team though.
December 11th, 2016 at 9:41 AM ^
December 10th, 2016 at 11:42 PM ^
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December 10th, 2016 at 11:45 PM ^
than college because college is restricted by the hours the coaches can interact with the players when it comes to football activities.
December 10th, 2016 at 11:50 PM ^
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