The dynamic player that can have an impact on offense and defense does not come along too often. UCLA has had fun running linebacker Myles Jack in certain running situations in recent years, and the game has started to see juggernaut offensive linemen take down field out of the tight end position, with William Perry breaking down that wall years ago. Good coaches put the best players in the best positions possible to help their team win. So will Jim Harbaugh experiment with playing defensive back Jabrill Peppers on offense at Michigan? If so, Peppers is ready to contribute.
“Offense is definitely something I’m comfortable with. I’d even like to think I’m a better offensive player, but I like defense a lot more and I think I’m just as good on defense,” Peppers said this week, according to MLive.com. “I work on my craft, every day, to be well rounded to try to contribute to the team as best as I can. At the end of the day, whatever guy we have out there, we’re all capable. We all work just as hard to achieve the ultimate goal, which is to win.”
Peppers played multiple offensive positions in high school, proving capable of being a well-rounded athlete and football player. Michigan chose to use Peppers as a defensive back and on special teams (with Dennis Norfleet dismissed from the program, Peppers could potentially see more time on special teams). However, Peppers appeared in just three games for the Wolverines during his freshman season last fall. Peppers was able to be redshirted last November to preserve his eligibility after leg injuries slowed him down last season. Now Peppers is hungry to prove his value to the team, and he will play any position asked of him to do so.
“We want winners out on the field. If they feel that using me on offense will help us win, then I’ll do it,” Peppers said. “I’m just a guy trying to do whatever he has to do to help this team win.”