The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Jourdan Lewis By John Borton Jourdan Lewis is not only the best de- fensive back on his team, he's one of the best in the nation. That's the increas- ing sense of close observers around the country, Lewis' epic battle with MSU's mammoth wideout Aaron Burbridge notwithstanding. The folks at Pro Football Focus were sold, after Lewis gave an amazing per- formance in Michigan's 38-0 shutdown of Northwestern. That effort included a flat-out heist of what looked to be a completed sideline pass, which the junior cornerback nabbed and took back for a touchdown. PFF noted that pick-six stands among the finest in all of college football this season. The media entity rated Lewis the na- tion's No. 1 cornerback, and indicated following the win over the Wildcats that Lewis "will be shooting up draft boards in the near future after another special performance." Lewis led the Wolverines in passes broken up through seven games, and it wasn't close. He's swatted away 14 potential completions by opponents, a number dwarfing redshirt freshman teammate Jabrill Peppers' five. Lewis stands tied for second in the nation with 2.3 passes defended per game, trailing only the 2.6 posted by Northern Illinois' Shawun Lurry. Lewis had also recorded a pair of inter- ceptions, second-best among Michigan defensive backs. He's also the second- leading tackler among the secondary, with 24 stops, including 2.5 tackles for loss. Perhaps most importantly of all, Lewis took it up a notch under a coaching staff determined to play an aggressive, press-man coverage style. He's Michi- gan's best at it, and the best DB on the roster. Jabrill Peppers By Michael Spath Jourdan Lewis has been outstand- ing this season, yet teams continue to throw at him, arguing the percentages favor eventual success. And that is what Michigan State experienced; its quarter- back, Connor Cook, targeting receiver Aaron Burbridge 20 times and complet- ing nine for 132 yards. Few opponents will be that bold con- sidering how effective Lewis has been this year — even in defeat to MSU, he had six passes broken up — but for intimidation purposes, Peppers is the more imposing defender. Former linebacker great Ron Simpkins argued in this month's feature on Pep- pers that the redshirt freshman is mak- ing every defender around him better. He provides edge-run support to the defensive linemen and lineback- ers, playing with the physicality of a defender much bigger than 6-1, 208 pounds. He grants safeties the freedom to play deeper in coverage, knowing Peppers is patrolling the box and will clean up POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT WHO HAS BEEN MICHIGAN'S BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER AFTER SEVEN GAMES?