The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
"Coach [D.J.] Durkin does a great job of knowing the personnel, what they like to do on each down, what are their tendencies. I remember that, and I can get a jump on a route or a jump on what kind of run I expect. "I wouldn't say I have more re- sponsibility than others, but in terms of learning different spots, that is a responsibility I have. Can the guys trust me to play different packages and not get mentally tired? I can't think I'm at one position when I'm not. "I just do whatever I am asked to do, try to be as versatile as possible and play my tail off." Peppers was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week Oct. 12 after recording 1.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups in a 38-0 blank- ing of Northwestern. By over-the-top hype standards, he's had one monster game, totaling 164 all-purpose yards, including a 49-yard kickoff return and a 34-yard punt return, against the Spartans. Defensively, it's fair to argue he's been Michigan's best player this fall. "I don't know what people were expecting — he wasn't going to have a pick-six, two sacks and 10 tackles every game — but I think his attitude and play have had a huge impact on this defense," Simpkins said. "The way he plays, how he leads by example and how he competes so hard really rubs off on the guys that are around him the most. The defensive guys that are with him in practices, in meeting rooms … his attitude is infectious." Peppers has not allowed his early success to slow his pursuit of per- fection, noting he's always studying film to see what he needs to improve. Peppers ranks third on the team with 359 all-purpose yards — 35 yards receiving, 144 yards on 14 punt returns and 180 on seven kickoff returns — after seven games. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN