Redshirt freshman DB Jabrill Peppers — A-: The Big Ten Freshman of the
Year, Peppers was the most valuable player defensively for the Maize and Blue,
playing cornerback, nickel back, safety and dime linebacker while moonlight-
ing on offense at wide receiver, tailback and even wildcat quarterback. He also
was a dynamic kickoff and punt returner.
Fifth-year senior P Blake O'Neill — A-: Almost half of O'Neill's 53 punts on
the season ended up pinning the opponent inside the 20-yard line (23, or 43.4
percent), while he had nine punts of 50 yards or more and averaged 41.3 yards
per punt overall. The graduate transfer's lone mistake — the botched punt
against MSU — cannot overshadow an otherwise stellar season.
— Michael Spath
Junior tight end Jake Butt posted 48 receptions and 620 receiving yards during the regu-
lar season; he could surpass the single-season school records for each at his position in
the bowl game.
PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN
