Ups and downs from Michigan derby … NFL types are still buzzing about the performance of Michigan redshirt sophomore LB/S Jabrill Peppers in the #2 ranked Wolverines road win over intrastate rivals Michigan State on Saturday. What was most remarkable about Peppers’ day was the incredible versatility as he ultimately played as many as 10 different positions over the course of the contest. And that’s not a misprint as Peppers took snaps at LB, SS, CB and nickel back on defense and QB, RB, HB and WR on defense as well returning both punts and KOs. He finished the day with 7 tackles on defense including a sack and another tackle for loss and scored a TD on the other side of the ball. And just to cap it all off he returned a fumble 86 yards for a safety on a two-point MSU conversion on the game’s final play. Scouts are still not sure that Peppers has the size – he’s just 6-0, 205 – to play as close to the line of scrimmage in the pros as he does in college, but there is no doubting his superior quickness, instincts and explosion and one has to look high and low to find a scout or draft analyst that doesn’t think he have top 5 talent. And if anyone doesn’t believe us here is CBS Sports’ ace draft guy Rob Rang’s thoughts on Michigan’s #5.
What hasn’t gotten as much attention from the Michigan derby was the while Peppers was shining, Michigan State DT Malik McDowell, who has top 5 aspirations of his own, did not have a game at all. McDowell did manage a couple of tackles for loss, one on which he tossed Michigan All-America C Mason Cole aside like a rag doll. However, those were his only stats on the day as McDowell was continually washed out on most plays. Indeed, McDowell struggled to get off blocks, couldn’t find the ball and appeared to give up on way too many plays. Part of the problem is that McDowell just isn’t healthy and likely hasn’t been all season with an assortment of nagging injuries, although he has gamely tried to play through the pain. That will get him points from pro scouts; so will the fact that MSU lines him up at all four spots along the DL; needless to say though NFL personnel types may be doing a little more due diligence on McDowell’s productivity, work ethic and durability over the final month of the schedule.
