Michigan scored big when they were able to reel in Jabrill Peppers, a consensus top-5 recruit by all major recruiting websites. Peppers is an incredible athlete, who will play defensive back moving forward, after playing on both sides of the ball in high school.

Now it’s time to see Peppers on the field in Ann Arbor. What does he bring to the Wolverines? And how soon will we see him?

Let’s take a look:

Skillset

Peppers has incredible ability for an incoming freshman. He has great size for a defensive back (6’1”, 210) and plays aggressively. As a two-way player, he knows how to play the ball very well, and has good hands. On defense, he moves well with receivers, and he hits hard. He has the ability to make an immediate impact.

Potential Playing Time

Michigan lost one starter in their defensive backfield to graduation, so Peppers has an opportunity to see the field early in nickel situations.

However, Michigan finished 66th in pass defense last season, so he could work his way into the starting lineup if Blake Countess or Ray Taylor struggle, much like they did against Kansas State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, where neither could contain Wildcats receiver Tyler Lockett.

It also sounds like coach Brady Hoke is considering using Peppers on the offensive side of the ball, which could give Peppers the potential to make an impact similar to what Myles Jack made this past season for UCLA, playing linebacker and saw carries at running back late in the season.

How Will He Perform?

With Peppers great size and build, he has the chance to be very successful in the rugged Big Ten. In a conference that focuses heavily on strong running games, Peppers has great awareness in finding the ball carrier and bringing him down. His physical play will also help against some of the bigger receivers in the conference.