commitment profile
Jabrill Peppers Becomes U-M's Top Pledge
Michigan has long
been one of the best
programs in the na‑
tion on the recruiting
trail. The Wolverines
are no strangers to
bringing in five-star
prospects — they've
done so 13 times
since 2002, the begin‑
ning of the Rivals.
com era of recruit‑
ing. However, U-M
had never landed a
commit ranked as
high as No. 2 in the
nation.
That changed May
26 when Paramus
(N.J.) Catholic cor‑
nerback Jabrill Pep‑
pers made his pledge
live on ESPNU. In a
freestyle rap, he ex‑
plained that his col‑
lege choice would
be to the school that
was the best fit for
him athletically and Rivals.com ranks Peppers as the top cornerback in the country
and the No. 2 overall player nationally.
academically.
photo courtesy rivals.com
"I can see it now,
the fans screaming, yelling," Peppers ture, including Alabama, LSU, Ohio
said. "As I'm walking out that tunnel, State and USC, by the time he made
in the winged helmet."
his decision. Peppers could have
Peppers' commitment was a huge played for just about anyone in the
moment for U-M. He is a lifelong country.
Michigan fan, but the Wolverines had
It was not just his childhood affinity
fallen behind early in his recruitment. for the Maize and Blue, but a combi‑
A who's-who of national programs nation of the factors that ultimately
joined the competition for his signa‑ made up his mind.
