The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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in his career, and is listed as a defen- sive back for the Wolverines. That's because he's also a lockdown corner, with a combined seven interceptions over his final two seasons. Hoke certainly didn't rule out a role on offense, or returning kicks and punts. Again, he stressed, all in due time. Partridge insists that whatever Mich- igan asks of Peppers, he'll be ready. "He's so explosive and physical, and at the same time, he's got such agility and speed," the head coach noted. "He's the total package. He's got size, strength, and can move in- credibly quickly and naturally. He's got all of the tools. "He does everything very well. He catches the ball well, he can throw the ball well. He can do it all. That makes it even more intriguing." Peppers enjoyed so many highlight moments, Partridge finds it tough identifying one. What came to mind involves how the prep standout thinks the game. "What stands out in my mind are his smarts, and the adjustments he made, pre-play, in reaction to what he thought the offense was going to do or the defense was going to do," Partridge noted. "He has the brains, and understands what's going on. For instance, we had a fourth-down play in a semifinal game. It was fourth-and-eight, and he saw they were high-lowing him on his side of the field. We were in trips, and he motioned himself, took the high-low, and he knew the quarterback was go- ing to see that and hit the other guy. "We didn't even throw to him. He took all the eyes of the defense away from him and left our other slot wide open, right in the seam for the con- version. That's special right there, to understand that and make that adjustment, and know his teammates will see it and know what's going on. That's the kind of stuff he's able to do." Soon enough, he'll be making his own name in Ann Arbor, Partridge assured. "Jabrill is on a path here where the sky is the limit," he said. "I expect him to do really big things, and I'm excited to watch them. I think it's safe to say that I'd be surprised if he didn't make an impact immediately." — John Borton PERSONAL Jabrill Peppers was born Oct. 4, 1995 … Best 40-yard dash time is 4.4 seconds … Best bench press is 225 pounds … Best vertical jump is 39 inches … Trans- JABRILL PEPPERS DEFENSIVE BACK 6-1 • 210 PARAMUS CATHOLIC HS PARAMUS, N.J. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 3 1 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 2 1 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 4 1 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 3 1 1