'14 NJ CB Jabrill Peppers (Michigan Verbal)

[GoldenDomer]

He is one helluva player but we are gonna kick their ass.

 

[NDdomer2]

Is there even talk out of the whore that he'll get looks on O our just baseless speculation? Outside of his track speed in not seeing the connections.

 

[IrishLax]

Is there even talk out of the whore that he'll get looks on O our just baseless speculation? Outside of his track speed in not seeing the connections.

There are actually a fair number of analysts who have said his best upside is actually at RB where he'd be a Clowney-esque prospect... but he's set on playing CB. Apparently his skill set is unreal for a RB and to go along with his A+ speed he has great power, size, and balance.

He'll almost certainly be a special teams star and take over as their primary returner from day 1.

 

[IrishLax]

On defense he will have absolutely no clue what is going on.

Ehhhh KVR played as true frosh RB convert and was surprisingly decent, as have a lot of other #1 style guys.There's no reason to believe Peppers couldn't come in and play solid.

 

[NDdomer2]

There are actually a fair number of analysts who have said his best upside is actually at RB where he'd be a Clowney-esque prospect... but he's set on playing CB. Apparently his skill set is unreal for a RB and to go along with his A+ speed he has great power, size, and balance.

He'll almost certainly be a special teams star and take over as their primary returner from day 1.

Thanks. Outside of what I read from a matchup perspective team vs team, I don't follow summer camp type news for other teams.

 

[STLDomer]

Him becoming a Myles Jack for Michigan I think is a legitimate concern. And Jack literally took over multiple games for UCLA.

Peppers as a prospect was the shit. He was my #1 last year with Garrett #2 and Fournette #3. He is a physical specimen and has the swagger about him that you want in a football player.

 

[PANDFAN]

I'm with Koon on this one. I'll be more comfortable if he's trying to run with our receivers than if he's playing offense for scUM. If he's playing offense that early, it probably means he's going to be a legit weapon, and hence he's destined to do something huge. It's "ND Playing Michigan" science. Someone's gotta break out.

The only time it didn't happen was '12.

how soon people forget about his coming out party regarding his running abilities

 

[PANDFAN]

oh and you're being completely naive to think Peppers who was one of the fastest, most gifted, freaks of nature will not be a factor against us...the guy is explosive....just look at george atk freshman year...not even in the same realm of talent that peppers has but speed and he was able to make several huge contributions in the kick return game....and again as others have pointed out...

1. tate
2. denard
3. devin/gallon

it doesn't matter, it's michigan

 

[Rhode Irish]

There are actually a fair number of analysts who have said his best upside is actually at RB where he'd be a Clowney-esque prospect... but he's set on playing CB. Apparently his skill set is unreal for a RB and to go along with his A+ speed he has great power, size, and balance.

He'll almost certainly be a special teams star and take over as their primary returner from day 1.

If I was a prospect and could take my pick, no way I would play RB even if I was projected to have a slightly higher ceiling there. RBs are so devalued at the pro level, their shelf life is so much shorter, the wear and tear and injury risk are so much greater, there are so many fewer roster spots allocated there and the salary considerations are such that I would basically refuse to play RB of I could get on the field anywhere else.

 

[BobbyMac]

I agree with everyone's sentiment that... it's Michigan, something crazy has to happen and throw all conventional wisdom out the window, which is why I'm thinking...

This is going to be a boring game in which the Irish run the ball down the Wolverine's throats and easily handle them. Wouldn't that be a crazy way to end this series.

 

[IrishLax]

If I was a prospect and could take my pick, no way I would play RB even if I was projected to have a slightly higher ceiling there. RBs are so devalued at the pro level, their shelf life is so much shorter, the wear and tear and injury risk are so much greater, there are so many fewer roster spots allocated there and the salary considerations are such that I would basically refuse to play RB of I could get on the field anywhere else.

Yup, perfect logic. Exactly why he's set on playing CB.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Yup, perfect logic. Exactly why he's set on playing CB.

Although I do agree that, as a ND fan, I'd be much more worried to see him lined up in the backfield against us.

 

[TomHaverford]

Ehhhh KVR played as true frosh RB convert and was surprisingly decent, as have a lot of other #1 style guys.There's no reason to believe Peppers couldn't come in and play solid.

Charles Woodson. Woodson was the #1 prep RB in the country and the top player in Ohio, he didn't really play defensive back that much in high school. Woodson came in and played at a high level as a true frosh at CB.

As for Peppers, he's played a ton of corner and safety in high school.

 

[TomHaverford]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Wow...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPN300?src=hash">#ESPN300</a> No. 2 2014 //“<a href="https://twitter.com/JabrillPeppers">@JabrillPeppers</a>: Crazy what only 4 weeks can do to your body right?..<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeforeandAfter?src=hash">#BeforeandAfter</a>… <a href="http://t.co/OLBXvlObat">http://t.co/OLBXvlObat</a>”</p>— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/HamiltonESPN/statuses/492431400143175680">July 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

jesus. I'm glad he picked Michigan.

That kid is just a genetic freak of nature. To be built like that at 18 and just graduating high school? If he was just built that'd be one thing, but he's also legitimately faster and quicker than probably any kid on the entire Michigan team. He really was a once in every 5-10 year kind of DB prospect. Just a complete freak.

 

[Redbar]

That kid is just a genetic freak of nature. To be built like that at 18 and just graduating high school? If he was just built that'd be one thing, but he's also legitimately faster and quicker than probably any kid on the entire Michigan team. He really was a once in every 5-10 year kind of DB prospect. Just a complete freak.

Hate to say it, but...yeah he is.

 

[TomHaverford]

Jabrill returning a punt in practice....dude does not look like an 18 year old frosh.

 

[BeauBenken]

Arms look shopped. Christ.

 

[IrishLax]

Should play RB and S.

 

[TomHaverford]

Should play RB and S.

kind of agree. I think he's special with the ball in his hands, and if you have a guy with that kind of build combined with that kind of speed who can make things happen, you put the ball in his hands as much as you can. I know he wants to play defense, but that's my thought process. You put the ball into the best athletes hands and let them do their thing.

 

[Rack Em]

Should quit football and play grab ass.

Dude, I totally agree. Been saying that since he committed to meatchicken.

 

[jspags10pg]

He should...not play week 2 of this season. After that he can light it up all he wants.

I like watching exciting players, so outside of any game against us or that has any implications for us...he can ball out like I'm sure he will. I'm just glad one exceptional player doesn't mean you automatically have a good team. Living in MI, it is unbearable when UM fields a good team...or one that isn't that great but has a good record (2011).

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I remember Woodson playing corner in high school.

 

[IrishLax]

kind of agree. I think he's special with the ball in his hands, and if you have a guy with that kind of build combined with that kind of speed who can make things happen, you put the ball in his hands as much as you can. I know he wants to play defense, but that's my thought process. You put the ball into the best athletes hands and let them do their thing.

Exactly.

And if he wants to play both ways, I think it's much easier for him to a part time nickel or safety than really train him to play full time corner. There is a large mental component to safety, but you'd insert him only for certain packages to take advantage of his abilities and not ask him to "quarterback" the secondary.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

They already have good Running Backs, but they need help with receivers.

BTW, i am hearing that De'veon Smith and Drake Johnson are ahead of Derrick Green, who was a highly recruit coming out of HS. If that's true, he will transfer sooner than later, for sure.

 

[IrishLax]

They already have good Running Backs, but they need help with receivers.

BTW, i am hearing that De'veon Smith and Drake Johnson are ahead of Derrick Green, who was a highly recruit coming out of HS. If that's true, he will transfer sooner than later, for sure.

Derrick Green sucks. Ask anyone from Virginia. I always thought it was sour grapes because he didn't stay home, but to a man every person who'd seen him play in HS said he was laughably overrated and would be a total bust.

Remember, about a half dozen schools passed on him before he fell in Hoke's lap. He tried HARD to go to OSU and they simply had no interest.

Then he shows up at Michigan and isn't just bad, but totally out of shape. I doubt he ever produces for the Wolverines, Ty Isaac should be the back of the future up there.

 

[NCND]

Derrick Green sucks. Ask anyone from Virginia. I always thought it was sour grapes because he didn't stay home, but to a man every person who'd seen him play in HS said he was laughably overrated and would be a total bust.

Remember, about a half dozen schools passed on him before he fell in Hoke's lap. He tried HARD to go to OSU and they simply had no interest.

Then he shows up at Michigan and isn't just bad, but totally out of shape. I doubt he ever produces for the Wolverines, Ty Isaac should be the back of the future up there.

Don't forget about that guy D'evon Smith. He looked big and explosive in that OSU game last year.

 

[dublinirish]

no chance derrick green lasts 4 years at SCUM.

 

[ColinKSU]

All this talk of Peppers at RB. What happened to Justice Hayes (lololololol)?

 

[TomHaverford]

All this talk of Peppers at RB. What happened to Justice Hayes (lololololol)?

Justice Hayes really isn't a fit for what they want at RB. He's pretty small to the other guys in comparison. Always felt he should've moved to slot WR.

Look at the backs they've got (including Peppers here for sake of comparison)

Drake Johnson - 6'0, 212 (tore ACL in 2nd game last year)
DeVeon Smith - 5'11, 220
Derrick Green - 6'0, 221 (was 248 last year)
Ty Isaac - 6'3, 230 (probably redshirts this year bc of waiver issue)
Jabrill Peppers - 6'1, 210
Mike Weber - 5'10, 205 (still in high school, which means he'll only get bigger)

Justice Hayes is like 5'10, maybe 190 pounds, and he's a Redshirt Junior at that size. If he was a true frosh that'd be one thing, but he's been here going on 4 years and he's that size. He just isn't a fit for what they want out of the RB.

I think he should move to slot WR, as that would be his best positional fit.

 

[TomHaverford]

Derrick Green sucks. Ask anyone from Virginia. I always thought it was sour grapes because he didn't stay home, but to a man every person who'd seen him play in HS said he was laughably overrated and would be a total bust.

Remember, about a half dozen schools passed on him before he fell in Hoke's lap. He tried HARD to go to OSU and they simply had no interest.

Then he shows up at Michigan and isn't just bad, but totally out of shape. I doubt he ever produces for the Wolverines, Ty Isaac should be the back of the future up there.

we'll have to agree to disagree. I don't think he sucks at all. He looked great in that Army game and by all accounts (Rivals, Scout, 247) he was one of the top overall performers for the week of practice and the best RB there during the week.

Last season he came into Michigan over-weight and on top of that got injured early in fall camp and had to sit out which put him behind even more. The OL was atrocious last year, and I don't think any of our RB's looked good running behind that line.

From what I've heard, Green struggles in pass protecting, catching the ball, and he's struggled picking up the new playbook. I don't think this means he sucks, he's still a young player (true sophomore) and some guys just take longer to develop than others.

Green has put in the work to drop weight and get in shape this off-season, and that will only help him down the line. He's not out of the RB competition by any stretch. They won't have a starter until 3-4 games into the year at the earliest IMO. They'll let all 3 of those guys have a chance and whoever separates on the field in the games will get the nod. If the OL doesn't improve drastically though, it really won't matter who gets the nod to be the starter.

re: Ty Isaac, I'm pretty sure he isn't getting his waiver and will redshirt. Which honestly would be the best thing anyways. I don't think they want to have four backs in the same class (Isaac, Smith, Green, and Johnson).