The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/751827
Year Team Record Postseason Statistics 2010 Don Bosco Prep 12-0 Won state title Six interceptions, one fumble recovery, two defensive TDs 2011 Don Bosco Prep 11-0 Won state title# 921 yards rushing, 19 TDs; 92 yards receiving, 3 TDs 2012 Paramus Catholic 10-2 Won state title 1,552 yards rushing, 18 TDs; 337 yards receiving, 5 TDs; 77 tackles, 3 INTs 2013 Paramus Catholic 10-2 Won state title 595 yards rushing, 6 TDs; 413 yards receiving, 9 TDs; 57 tackles, 12 passes defended, including 4 INTs he returned for 126 yards 2014 Michigan 5-7 None Played in just three games with one start (U-M was 2-1 in those games); 8 tackles; 1 punt return for 6 yards 2015 Michigan 10-3 Won Citrus Bowl Started 12 games, missing the bowl game with an injury; 18 rushes for 72 yards and two touchdowns; 8 catches for 79 yards; 17 punt returns for 194 yards; 8 kickoff returns for 223 yards; 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 10 pass breakups 2016* Michigan 9-1 — Started 10 games; 21 rushes for 161 yards and three TDs; two catches for 3 yards; 16 punt returns for 276 yards and 1 TD; eight kickoff returns for 198 yards; 59 tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, eight QB hurries, one forced fumble COMPARED TO CHARLES Even in mid-November, Peppers is still considered a Heisman Trophy contender. Former Michigan star Charles Woodson is the only primary defender to ever win the award, which is annually presented to college football's best player, so the comparison is inevitable. "When I look at Peppers' diverse skills, he reminds me of Charles Woodson during his prime years in Green Bay," NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, a former NFL teammate of Woodson's, wrote earlier this fall. "The 2009 Defensive Player of the Year controlled the game as a hybrid safety/nickel back during that span, and I can envision Peppers thriving in a similar role. "I hate to compare a young player to one of the greatest defenders in NFL history, as it seems prema- ture, but I haven't seen many defenders with diverse skills that are eerily similar to those of Woodson." Here's how the redshirt sophomore stacks up to the Wolverine legend during his Heisman campaign: Woodson in 1997 Statistic Peppers through 10 games 36 for 301 yards (8.4 yards per attempt) and 1 TD Punt Returns 16 for 276 yards (17.2 yares per attempt) and 1 TD 0 Kickoff Returns 8 for 198 yards (24.8 per runback) 12 for 238 yards (19.8), 2 TDs Receptions 2 for 3 yards (1.5 yard average) 5 for 21 yards (4.2), 1 TD Rushes 21 for 161 yards (7.7 per run), 3 TDs 560, 4 Total Yards, TDs 638, 4 8 Interceptions 0 44 tackles, 5.0 for loss, 1.0 sack, 9 PBUs Other Defensive Stats 59 tackles, 14.0 for loss, 4.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble 5 tackles, 2 interceptions; 2 punt returns for 2 yards Vs. Michigan State 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack; 5 rushes for 24 yards and 1 TD; 1 reception for negative-2 yards; 1 punt return for 8 yards; 1 kickoff return for 15 yards; returned a two- point conversion roughly 88 yards for 2 U-M points 37-yard reception; 5 punt returns for 97 yards and 1 TD; 3 tackles, 1 Int. Vs. Ohio State Game is Nov. 26 ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, * — through Nov. 18, # — ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps, Note: All high school records and statistics come from MaxPreps WINNING WAYS