huntmich

December 11th, 2016 at 6:40 AM ^

Don't know why you're getting down voted. It's factual. If he can get first round money right now he should take it. God I would love to have him for another year, but he runs the risk of injury or a more talented class surpassing him. I don't think an extra year in college would do significantly better for his stock and he can always finish up the degree in the NFL offseason or after he has retired.

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Babyblu

December 11th, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^

draft pick to stay in college another year is doing it out of self interest. We all are well aware that at anytime it could end, Jabril, and every player out their are 1 play away from it all ending. Asking a guy to pass on his chace to get millions of dollars is a self serving, self interest suggetion. Not whats best for Jabril. Its that simple. And the reason im getting down voted is because these facts do not serve the selfish asshole who would have him stay no matter what so they have a better chance to be entertained.

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Alumnus93

December 11th, 2016 at 5:07 PM ^

there's value in finishing strong and in spotlight. If he were to come back, and win Heisman and do well, that adds to his NFL marketability,and would get an uptick in draft slot,even if only a few slots. Owners will want him. If there's an insurance policy that covers a lot...if our AD can figure out a brilliant way to do so, I think he may stay.

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BroadneckBlue21

December 11th, 2016 at 9:22 AM ^

Probably because Peppers is one of the top rated prospects by McShay already and it is absurd to argue "if he's an early second round..." because he's already not leaving the top of round 1. Most mock drafts have him in Top 10. Why he stays or goes is understandable; fans not understanding just how rare a talent he is and is seen as is not. People dogging his stats or focusing too much on those plays where he lenses up are way too critical of a guy who has Urlacher/Kuechly type football IQ in an Eric Berry body.

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RadioMuse

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.

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rob f

December 11th, 2016 at 4:11 PM ^

for his trolling of the board. Check his posting history if you need evidence; in his short time on the board, many of his posts have been either in praise of Fickle and/or other past or present OSU staff members, or negative comments directed at MGoBoard posters, such as his "selfish asshole" comment earlier this afternoon. Add in some bad-mouthing of Jabrill---he gets the downvotes he deserves.

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The Fan in Fargo

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. 

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slimj091

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.

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Harperbole

December 11th, 2016 at 11:28 AM ^

I think what gets lost in the discussion of whether a high level athlete should go pro or not is the fact that ultimately none of these players will ever have financial stress again unless they manage their money poorly. Quality of life isn't recognizably different due to income and wealth after a certain threshold. What does impact quality of life is where you live and the conditions of your work environment. Going to a shitty team in a shitty city would be more detrimental than making a few million less per season. It could also create a situation where over the course of a career that player's potential isn't fully realized, impacting future earnings. Even if he were to get injured, he will never be short of opportunities to make money and will undoubtedly be able to take care of his family the way he hopes to. The people that go crazy about the extra millions of dollars are hyper focused on wealth because of their own outlook on life and personal financial situations. I don't think those are the values that Harbaugh has instilled in these young men. If I had to guess he will be paying close attention to what specific teams will likely draft him and if the chances of going to a Baltimore, Denver or New England are high, he leaves. If sources are telling him he is likely to end up with a Jacksonville, Cleveland or NY Jets type team, he stays. Just my perspective. Ultimately He seems like a great character guy and deserves a full, happy life. Whatever is the best road towards that we should all support.

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bluepow

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.

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UMProud

December 10th, 2016 at 11:13 PM ^

Harbaugh gives these kids honest assessments of what they can expect from the NFL. Sometimes waiting a year might be worth a few more million I suppose.

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MGoPoints: 2705

Mr. Yost

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.

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ghostofhoke

December 10th, 2016 at 11:44 PM ^

There are 5 guys playing for Bama on defense that will likely go ahead of him. Maybe form mock drafts earlier in the season but #5 seems way, way optimistic with the season he had (which was good but 5 is freakin lofty--Woodson had a much better final season and went 4, Peppers didn't have that type of season)



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Stringer Bell

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"

Joined: 11/06/2014

MGoPoints: 52835

charblue.

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.

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jdemille9

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. 

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ghostofhoke

December 10th, 2016 at 11:42 PM ^

I agree with every bit of Mr. Yost's assessment. I see it the exact same way. Not only that but a year of development and success with NFL quality coaches in his college environment could be better long term for him than trying to develop under the pressure of an NFL environment. That point might not be 100% accurate but I'd imagine he'll get a lot more attention, coaching and reps in college than he will in an NFL camp. Lots of super talented guys struggle their first few years in the NFL but with his aptitude to pick things up, maybe he's the exception.



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