As has been expected for quite a bit of time, the top recruit in Michigan’s most recent class won’t step foot on the field again in 2014.
Wednesday afternoon, head coach (for now) Brady Hoke confirmed that Jabrill Peppers will not play again this season and will take a medical redshirt. Peppers has been hampered by health issues the entire 2014 season.
Two separate leg injuries have cost Peppers significant playing time during his true freshman season. The Wolverines have played nine games this season, with the cornerback missing six full contests. He’s missed parts of two others due to the health issues.
“We’re going to redshirt him for this year,” Hoke said. “Him and I have had a lot of different conversations, I’ve talked with his mother, doctors, trainers and everybody that should be included in the conversation.
“But he’s taking care of himself (physically). He’s been great with treatments and rehab and all those things. He’s doing a tremendous job in school right now academically and he’s excited about whenever he can get back on the field. His (health) has improved, but he’s not going to be where you’d want a guy to be who has that kind of ability (this year).”
Because he played in less than 30 percent of UM’s games and because none of that playing time came after the halfway point of the season, he will qualify for a medical waiver.
Peppers was a consensus five-star recruit in 2014, rated as the No. 1 corner and the No. 3 player at any position in the country. Peppers served as the highest-rated recruit UM has ever signed since the founding of Rivals‘ back in 2002. The previous high was Ryan Mallett as the No. 4 player in the Class of 2007.
Entering his first season in Ann Arbor, Peppers earned a starting job at both corner and on the punt return unit. He started the opener against Appalachian State as the nickel corner, and played in three games total.