ESPN’s Jesse Temple published an article predicting ‘Which Big Ten Players Could Be Heisman Candidates In 2016’. Jabrill Peppers makes the cut for the Wolverines:
The case for: Perhaps it’s preposterous to believe Peppers can actually win the Heisman because we don’t know where he’ll play — or how much. But that’s precisely the point. Peppers provides the type of excitement that rarely comes along, and he fully expects to be a three-way player this season on offense, defense and special teams. The last player who didn’t play quarterback or running back to win the Heisman was Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1997, and the comparisons to Peppers are obvious. If Michigan is a national title contender, it won’t be a shock to see Peppers in the Heisman running.
The case against: Let’s remember that Peppers ranked sixth on the team in tackles last season with 45. He rushed 18 times for 72 yards and caught eight passes for 79 yards. He handled eight kickoff returns and 17 punt returns without a touchdown. Yes, he is versatile, but those aren’t exactly Heisman numbers. His statistics will improve the more he is used, but it will take a lot for him to make a strong Heisman case.