The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/751827
THE HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL Peppers' best five plays of 2016 (through 10 games): 5 Out, Up And Over: In the first game with the silhouette of Michael Jordan gracing the U-M jerseys and "His Airness" himself on the sidelines as an honorary captain, Peppers did quite an impression of the NBA great by taking flight. He fielded a Hawai'i punt around the 28-yard line before retreating a couple more yards to find room. A seam opened, Peppers hit it like he was shot out of a cannon, cut back towards the boundary and tiptoed along the sideline before stepping out. After going out of bounds, he leaped over the punter. It was a nice run- back, even if the most impressive part didn't officially count. 4 Hard Hitter: Part of the weekly team awards Michigan doles out after each game includes a Big Hit of the Week, which Peppers earned in five of the first eight games, including each of the first four. Despite Central Florida coach Scott Frost claiming in the postgame that his team outhit U-M, it was Peppers who brought the wood all day long, and his hit on the first play of the fourth quarter might have been the best of the bunch. On second-and-15, the QB looked like he was setting up an option run, but Peppers flew into the backfield before the signal-caller could even make a read and crunched Nick Patti, causing a fumble that UCF recovered. 3 The Punt Return That Didn't Count: If the play stood, this one against Rutgers would have to lead the list. Peppers made six defenders miss, including three in about a 5-yard span — he broke a tackle, spun out of another and ducked under a third on his way to the end zone. The 44-yarder did not stand due to a penalty, but as Peppers quipped after the game on Twitter: "It counts to my mama," who was in the stands for his New Jersey homecoming. 2 Icing Colorado: Peppers might have put the Colorado contest away early in the fourth quarter with Michigan up 10 points by returning a punt 54 yards to the house. After fielding the kick near midfield, he weaved his way through the U-M blockers, broke a tackle around the 25, juked a defender then fell into the end zone when the jukee caught back up to him. He had come close to breaking one several times before, but it marked his first career punt return for a touchdown. 1 Something Out Of Nothing: Peppers' 63-yard run against Rutgers came with him in at quarterback and further proved the point that nothing can stop him — not even a busted play. After taking the snap he turned to his left for what looked to be a read-option, but his running back went right. It didn't matter. Peppers sprinted to the edge, turned the corner and nearly outran the defense. He ended up being taken down at the 4, and it was the only one of his three rushes in the game that didn't go to the house, but it nearly did and provided the majority of his 74 rushing yards in the game. Outlet Rank Last Update ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. 3 Nov. 10 Comment: "He's the most valuable player in college football. He's the best prospect on the best defense in the country … I expect him to test off the charts at the NFL combine." USA Today's Draft Wire 3 Nov. 2 Comment: "The popular question with Peppers is, "where do you play him?" The answer? Anywhere and everywhere. … Any NFL defensive coordinator who can't find a way to maximize his rare talent should probably find a new line of work." ESPN's Todd McShay 4 Oct. 20 Comment: "It's really impressive to watch Peppers keep blockers off his pads while playing a hybrid DB/LB role at 205 pounds. He has rare athleticism and will help your team in so many ways." Outlet Rank Last Update CBSSports.com's Rob Rang 4 Nov. 10 Comment: "Michigan is loaded with NFL prospects, and Peppers is the best of the bunch. Peppers is the latest in a new line of defen- sive 'erasers' capable of lining up at safety, linebacker or cornerback." Bleacher Report's Matt Miller 5 Nov. 9 Comment: Named the No. 1 safety in the draft by Miller and deemed the best player at his position in coverage, the best free safety, the best hybrid defender and the safety with the best po- tential in the draft. Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke 8 Sept. 2 Comment: "In some ways Peppers (6' 1", 205 pounds) and [Stanford] RB Christian McCaffrey present similar cases, in that an NFL team will have to be willing to be creative in order to max out their talent. Both players can ease any concerns with their incredible versatility." PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Redshirt Sophomore Jabrill Peppers Does It All For Michigan RISING UP THE DRAFT BOARDS Peppers is projected to be a first-round pick by every major outlet when the NFL Draft rolls around April 27-29 in Philadelphia. Here's where the versatile weapon is listed on various big boards, which rank all draft-eligible players: BY RYAN TICE HE CAN DO BETTER