The Jabrill for Heisman haters are the same people...

[maelfan]

who complained that a guy like Danny Wuerfell and a handful others won due to inflated numbers even though they clearly were not the "best" player in college football.

Jabrill Peppers is exactly what the eye test for the heisman should be in general. He may be one of, if not the overall most talented player in college football by what he accomplished but also by look alone.

He will not win and probably should not win especially given a huge falloff the last few weeks of the season, but the numbers game is exactly what should not be given too much hype for a heisman candidate.

 

[michnittlion]

I do hate the "best numbers for anybody who plays for a Top 10 team" aspect of the Heisman Trophy.

If I had a vote, I would not have Peppers either 1st, 2nd or 3rd on my ballot. Very very good player, but a defensive player needs a transcendent moment, and Peppers did not have one.

I'd honestly have James Conner of Pittsburgh 1st on my ballot. He was pretty darn good, Pittsburgh had a very good season, and he's a great comeback story, overcoming cancer. It's a year without obvious or traditional Heisman candidates, so he would be the one I'd go off the board for. I'd have Delvin Cook 2nd and Jake Browning 3rd.

 

[Reality Man]

Lamar Jackson is a deserving winner. Just not a big college football moment since Alabama just rolled. I didn't think Peppers was that great although he was very good for UM. Rock solid in ST's and a solid defender.

I would put him possibly in my top 10 overall UM players that I saw because he did so many things for this team but closer to #10 and maybe top 15. Jack of all trades type of guy. His value was his diversity.

The debate shouldn't be whether he should be invited in a down year of great players.
Does it really matter? He isn't going to win it but what is the problem with rewarding a guy on a very good team who clearly helped his team almost make the playoffs and how many players can do so many things on the field and do them well.

A dynamic all around guy who clearly wasn't great but the question should be where does he stack relative to someone like Biakabutuka or Hoard or Brady as a UM player.

Any thoughts?



RM

 

[Buckchi206]

Peppers isnt even the best defensive player on Michigan's defense, let alone the best player in the country.

 

[Reality Man]

Peppers is a unique jack of all trades guy who is really fast and explosive. He had a very good year but I don't disagree that he is hyped too much. Very good player. Maybe top 10 in college football?

I think his detractors don't give him enough credit for what he does really well which is blitz but teams adjusted over the course of the season. I think he did some nice things on ST's and made some plays in the wildcat.

That being said that in a normal year where a few guys had standout years and who hadn't been invited last year he would be left home. He isn't nearly as unworthy as some would like you to believe. He was the best overall player on a team that was almost undefeated this year.

He clearly has some limitations. I get the criticism of Peppers. I don't dispute it on some level. He isn't as good as his media hype and not as bad as his detractors.


RM

 

[Reality Man]

Wanted to post this here. Peppers definitely needs to go Pro after the bowl game. His draft stock is good. 1st round you need to go. I think he can get better at certain things but I think BT team would really try and exploit him next year at lb'er and he really needs to start working on his craft at strong safety.

I wouldn't draft him #5. I could see taking him mid-to-late 1st round for a team that needs a run hitting safety/blitzer to make their defense even better. Problem with Peppers is he a safety with poor pass coverage skills. I think teams need to be patient with him on defense.

Do you know who he really reminds me of? Denard Robinson. They are very close to the same type of player. Great athletes without necessarily a NFL position.


RM