Big Ten’s 10 most frightening players to play against

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Jabrill Peppers (5) runs back a kickoff against the Michigan State Spartans during the1st half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Of all the freakish athletes on this list, Peppers might be the most freaky. The 6-foot-1, 205 lbs all-purpose weapon hasn’t had a huge impact on the stat sheet, and that speaks to how deadly opposing teams know he is. He has only defended five passes thus far, because teams avoid him like the plague.

He has just 14 punt returns and seven kick returns despite being the primary return man, because teams will kick out of bounds or at his fellow kick return man, Jehu Chesson. That’s been a mistake, as well, since Chesson returned one of those kicks for a touchdown to start the game against Northwestern on October 10th.

In addition to being a defensive and special teams phenom, Peppers is a threat on offense even when he doesn’t touch the ball. When he entered the game on offense against Michigan State two weeks ago, head coach Mark Dantonio called consecutive timeouts to ensure the Spartan defense was ready for whatever new challenge Peppers might present. In spite of that preparation, Peppers still made two catches for 35 yards.

Defenses and offenses alike in the Big Ten and the rest of the country will quake in fear when they have to gameplan for this redshirt sophomore.

Next: Nate Sudfeld