The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/798849
APRIL 2017 THE WOLVERINE 45 PEPPERS INSISTS HE'S A SAFETY … AND MORE NFL Draft watchers keep trying to identify where Jabrill Peppers fits best on a pro roster. Peppers has no such qualms, speaking at the NFL Combine. "I'm a safety," he declared. He worked with both defensive backs and linebackers at the com- bine, giving rise to legitimate ques- tions on where he could wind up. "I was informed that since I was listed as a linebacker in college that I had to only work out with the line- backers," he said. "They were going to make me only do linebacker stuff. I asked if, somehow, some way, I could do the DB work, because that's what I was doing all offseason, lead- ing up to the combine. "I told my agents that and they made it happen. They said the only way I could do it is if I do both. I was like, that's easy. That's no problem at all." Having performed in some 15 posi- tions for Michigan, the demand defi- nitely wasn't too much. NFL person- nel have grilled him on where he sees himself playing in the pros. "I tell them my natural position is definitely in the defensive backfield," he said. "I had to fill a void this year, because it was best for the team. If I had to do it all over again, I would. "I didn't think it would hurt me. My mindset was, whatever I had to do, I would do it to the best of my ability and try to make plays when I can. That's what I did, and that's what I'm going to continue to do." Peppers also gave a major nod to head coach Jim Harbaugh. "It was great," Peppers said. "He definitely did a great job of preparing us. We couldn't have asked for any- one better to fill the void when Coach [Brady] Hoke left. He was hard on us. He made it business-like — what we can expect at the next level. I'm more than grateful for that." Peppers acknowledged there are a lot of unknowns involved in his move from college football to the next level. His confidence doesn't waver, however. "The bottom line is, I'm a ball- player, and I'm a helluva ballplayer," he said. "I intend to run fast, I intend to look smooth by doing whatever it is I'm asked to do. "After a couple of interviews, I think these coaches pretty much know what they're going to get." PEPPERS BY THE NUMBERS Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 213 pounds Arm Length: 30¾ inches Hand Size: 9 5/8 inches 40: 4.46 seconds — First among 21 LBs by 0.12 seconds, would've been fifth among safeties Bench: 19 reps — Although he tested with LBs (14th among 22 LBs), this would've tied for second among 17 safeties Vertical Jump: 35.5 inches — 4th among 23 LBs, would've been 6th among 19 safeties Broad Jump: 128 inches — Tied for 1st among 23 LBs, would've tied for 4th among 19 safeties OFFENSIVE LINEMAN BEN BRADEN Braden insists he doesn't care where he winds up on an NFL offensive line, as long as he winds up somewhere in the league. He played both guard and tackle for the Wolverines. "It's the NFL," he said. "It's an amazing opportunity. It's football. I'd be happy and proud just to play." BRADEN BY THE NUMBERS Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 329 pounds Arm Length: 34 inches Hand Size: 9 7/8 inches 40: 5.04 seconds — Sixth among 40 OL Bench: 25 reps— Tied for 12th among 40 OL Vertical Jump: 28 inches — Tied for 10th among 40 OL Broad Jump: 102 inches — Tied for 22nd among 40 OL Three-Cone Drill: 7.85 seconds — 18th among 37 OL 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.90 seconds — 24th among 38 OL TIGHT END JAKE BUTT Jake Butt paid a price for partici- pating in the Orange Bowl, injuring a knee that had him rehabbing and not testing at the NFL Combine. But he'd do it all again. "I came back [as a senior]," he said. "I made that decision, it was the right decision for me. We had a great year as a team. I improved on a lot of the things I wanted to improve on. And even playing in the bowl game, I wouldn't change it going back. "I was a leader on that team, a captain, I love that university. The player I am, I would never sit out of a game." BUTT BY THE NUMBERS Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 246 pounds Arm Length: 32 inches Hand Size: 10 inches Was not able to do testing due to knee injury. WIDE RECEIVER JEHU CHESSON Chesson dealt with his own knee injury from the Citrus Bowl follow- ing the 2015 season. Although his numbers dropped off somewhat in 2016, he attacked the NFL Combine to demonstrate what he can do. "They just want to see me run fast," he said. "They want to see me run good routes. They want to see me compete and see how I shape up against other guys. "I'm stunned to be here. I've very, very happy for this opportunity." CHESSON BY THE NUMBERS Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 204 pounds Arm Length: 33¼ inches Hand Size: 9 1/8 inches 40: 4.47 seconds — 16th among 51 WRs Bench: 10 reps — 32nd among 47 WRs Jabrill Peppers did position drills at both linebacker and defensive back in Indianapolis after the NFL told him a week and a half before the combine they had him slotted at linebacker because that was his college position. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN