What was widely speculated for much of the season has come to fruition on Tuesday. Michigan’s do-everything redshirt junior has officially made his decision regarding his immediate playing future.
Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers announces that he will forgo his senior season and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/jRUCLfSbPD
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 10, 2017
Thank you @UMichFootball –@CoachJim4UM for the memories & preparation. I'm declaring for the draft, forever GO BLUE! https://t.co/19aVtcFAtK
— JP5 (@JabrillPeppers) January 10, 2017
This comes just one week after a report that Peppers had declared and signed with agent Jimmy Sexton. but he refuted any stories at the time, saying he nor the school formally announced anything regarding his future. Although he may have hinted of returning back in December following a 5th place finish in the Heisman voting, the announcement comes as little to no surprise.
The redshirt junior from New Jersey finishes his Michigan career with 119 total tackles, three sacks, one interception and 11 passes defended. Offensively, he logged over 320 yards on 55 plays from scrimmage for five touchdowns, which included 167 on the ground this past season. And in special teams, Peppers finishes just shy of 1,000 career yards on 57 punt and kickoff returns, with the lone touchdown in that department coming this past season.
A number of NFL scouting ‘experts’ are projecting Peppers to be a potential first-round pick in this spring’s draft.
**Stats courtesy of Sports-Reference
