The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Michigan has had safeties play in the box, serving like linebackers. They tried All-America cornerback Marlin Jackson (2001-04) at safety in 2003, but the experiment was deemed a failure, and he returned to corner for his senior year. Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson played corner and lined up at nickel during the 1997 campaign, and played wide receiver too in his sophomore and junior seasons, but perhaps the best comparison for Pep- pers is Brandon Harrison (2005-08). Harrison started four games at safety in his freshman year then five games at cornerback in 2006, 10 games at nickel back in 2007 and 12 games at safety in 2008, his senior season. He did not, however, play all those positions in one year, let alone one game, like Peppers is being asked to do. "It takes an athlete that is physical, but is athletic enough to cover receiv- ers in the slot and can also contribute in stopping the running game," said head coach Jim Harbaugh. "Usually someone that is a really good corner and is also a safety is ideal for that position. I haven't seen too many things like that, and then in the punt return game he's been extremely valuable." Peppers' versatility has allowed Michigan to play in a base 4-2-5 de- fense, utilizing only two traditional linebackers — typically seniors Desmond Morgan and Joe Bolden. Against spread teams that use four wide receivers, like Maryland, Pep- pers played some dime linebacker, starting the play almost next to Mor- gan and then peeling off to cover a slot receiver if the Terrapins did not run the football. "Absolutely phenomenal," said Simpkins, who is, arguably, the great- est linebacker in Michigan history. "You're asking a defensive back to read keys like a linebacker, and come up and take on offensive linemen and tight ends as blockers, shed the block and make the tackle, which he's doing. "And then you're asking him to recognize pass and to find his way into coverage in a split-second, knowing that the slot receiver has a jump on him because he's out in space and Jabrill is in the box. "I don't know if I'm more sur- prised that the coaches are asking him to do it or that he's actually do- ing it." Peppers' 23 tackles in seven games ranked only fifth on the team; his 4.5 tackles for loss also fifth; his five pass breakups sat second, but no one seems to be contributing to more big plays defensively than the 6-1, 208-pound redshirt freshman. "He's one of those guys with his speed and how strong he is that he makes a lot of players around him better," said Wilson. "And he makes offenses account for him, and that leads to more opportunities for other guys." "I just like how I'm around the ball a lot," said Peppers, who is warm- ing to his multi-faceted role. "The coaches put me in spots where I can excel, and it's up to me to make plays.