Check The Film: Jabrill Peppers Scouting Report, Analysis, Breakdown
A Jabrill Peppers scouting report, analysis, and breakdown, as Campus Insiders takes a closer look at the film from Michigan's star safety turned linebacker.
A Jabrill Peppers scouting report, analysis, and breakdown, as Campus Insiders takes a closer look at the film from Michigan’s star safety turned linebacker.
Jabrill Peppers’ Measurables
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 213 lbs
- Position: Safety/Linebacker
- College: Michigan Wolverines
- Arm Length: 30 3/4″
- Hand Size: 9 5/8″
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.46 seconds
- Vertical: 35.5 inches
- Broad Jump: 128 inches
- Bench: 19 reps
- Shuttle: N/A
Jabrill Peppers’ Strengths
Peppers is a tremendously talented punt returner, which is where he could have the biggest impact on Day 1. He’s creative with the ball in his hands and has both the acceleration and vision to be given packages on offense. Peppers could be electric out of the Wildcat or if used as an H-back.
He’s very agile and looks comfortable while in the box. Regardless of where he’s at on the field, he’ll work toward the football and get involved in the play. He can kill a drive with his ability to rush the passer as a delayed blitzer, whether off the edge or through the interior gaps. Peppers makes plays behind the line of scrimmage and will force running backs back inside where the backside pursuer should be waiting.
He has the size and speed to cover both tight ends and wide receivers and is a high-energy guy with a Swiss-army knife background — team player. Find a spot for him and give him ample time to work at it without being bounced back and forth between position groups like he was a Michigan.
Possessing all the athleticism in the world, his ball skills are a plus.
Jabrill Peppers’ Weaknesses
Peppers often got confused in coverage and got beaten deep down the field because of it. He seemed to lack the communication skills needed to dissect and distribute assignments when adjustments were made at the line of scrimmage.
More often than not, he’ll go for a big hit, lowering his shoulder and hurling himself at the ball carrier instead of wrapping up and rolling to the ground. He’ll often turn into a catch tackler, too, letting the tailback initiate contact.
Peppers recorded only one interception in three seasons at Michigan. That’s largely due to the poor positioning when playing a zone scheme. The turnover production just wasn’t there.
Scheme Fits
The best fit for Peppers is at strong safety. Put him in situations where he can match up one-on-one with receiving tight ends. Let him step up into the box and help stop the run. Of course, that requires a reliable safety over the top. He’ll struggle as a free safety or if asked to play as the deep man in a Cover 1.
But if given time and coaching, he could develop into an everyday strong safety who comes up with big plays all over the field instead of just behind the line of scrimmage. Peppers would be an excellent fit for the Seattle Seahawks, who like to rotate their defensive backs and can bring Peppers along slowly as a future starting safety. The varied looks on defense and opportunities on offense they can provide would be a great scenario for him. Other ideal suitors include the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers.
Games Watched For Scouting
- Colorado (W 45-28) – 9/17/16
- Wisconsin (W 14-7) – 10/1/16
- Rutgers (W 78-0) – 10/8/16
- Michigan State (W 32-23) – 10/29/16
- Ohio State (L 30-27) – 11/26/16
