Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
By Duncan Smith
The Big Ten announced their weekly awards on Monday, and Michigan Wolverines defensive back Jabrill Peppers came away with his second Freshman of the Week award.
Next: Greatest College Football Players Born in Each State
The Michigan Wolverines came away with a big road victory against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday, holding firm on a last second goal line stand while clinging to a 29-26 lead. Nobody was more instrumental on all sides of the ball than defensive back and return man (and now offensive jack-of-all-trades) Jabrill Peppers.
He was rewarded for that effort on Monday when the Big Ten gave out their weekly awards. Peppers was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, which was the second time this season he’s taken home the honor.
Peppers had 100 all-purpose yards on Saturday, with 43 coming on kick returns, 41 on punt returns and added 16 yards on 4 carries and a touchdown on the ground for the Wolverines’ offense. He also had three tackles and two passes defended.
As has long been rumored, Peppers introduction to the Michigan offense has been a revelation. He’s so dynamic of a player that just the threat of him being on the field against the Michigan State Spartans weeks ago led head coach Mark Dantonio to call back-to-back timeouts to make sure his defense was prepared for him.
On Peppers’ touchdown against Minnesota, he was lined up in the shotgun at quarterback and swept left for a nine yard score.
It’s a new wrinkle that the defenses who remain on Michigan’s schedule this season are going to have to be ready for.
More from Big Ten
- Michigan State vs. Maryland: Location, time, prediction, and more
- Wisconsin vs. Purdue: How to watch, odds, injuries, weather, and history
- College Football Playoff: Projected top 4 after Week 3
- Biggest winners and losers from College Football Week 3
- Ohio State football: 3 takeaways from win over Western Kentucky
Peppers’ previous Freshman of the Week award came after a 38-0 home victory on October 10 over the Northwestern Wildcats.
He finished that game with five tackles, including two for loss, and had three passes defended.
On the season, Peppers is averaging 28 yards per kickoff return, 12.3 yards per punt return, has 26 tackles (including five for loss) and seven passes defended.