Michigan Football: How Jim Harbaugh Should Use Jabrill Peppers in 2015

Due to circumstances beyond his control, the emergence of Jabrill Peppers was temporarily subdued in 2014.

However, if not for an early-season knee injury, the former 5-star athlete could have made a significant impact as a returner and/or defensive back for the Wolverines.

Instead, he was hampered for weeks. At first, former head coach Brady Hoke suggested there was a chance he'd play. Later in the season, Hoke ended the discussion by shutting down Peppers, which was the right call.

There was no reason to rush his return, not for a team that was out of serious contention by October. Hoke knew that.

With great hands, blazing speed and keen awareness, the 6’1”, 202-pounder truly has it all—and it's all coming back for the real Round 1 in 2015.

If he hasn’t already, new head coach Jim Harbaugh will soon see “Breezy” in full swing and in high definition. Between winter workouts and upcoming spring practices, Peppers’ role should soon become crystal-clear: He’s good to plug in just about anywhere.

The hirings of special teams coach John Baxter (USC), offensive coordinator Tim Drevno (USC), passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Jedd Fisch (Jacksonville Jaguars) and running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley (former Michigan great) certainly spark interest in the "what if" department.

Several players, not just Peppers, stand to greatly benefit from the new regime.

But talents such as Peppers encourage creative usage and even more creative speculation.

It’s safe to assume that more than one coach will have a hand in his development, leaving new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin with plenty of ways to utilize one of the top all-around athletes in the nation.

Harbaugh could certainly team up with Baxter to maximize Peppers’ potential in the return game, collaborate with Fisch to get Peppers involved as a receiver and maybe even devise a scheme with Drevno and Wheatley to use Peppers out of the backfield.

Hey, he’s Jabrill Peppers—anything is possible.

Jabrill on Defense

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The defensive backfield is Peppers’ true home within the football universe. He’s a ball-hawking natural, the type of athlete who can change the tone of a game by simply being on the field.

Michigan’s secondary hauled in just two interceptions in 2014, both by Jourdan Lewis. It needs assistance. Throw in Peppers, and that volume could certainly see a dramatic increase, either due to Peppers picking balls off or guys such as Lewis and Blake Countess benefiting by default.

Quarterbacks may opt to test those guys—although it’s not always recommended—instead of trying to check Peppers, who can fill in anywhere for secondary coaches Greg Jennings and Michael Zordich. 

Update: Peppers will move to safety in 2015. 

Jabrill on Offense

This past fall reinforced an ugly truth: Michigan’s passing game is miles behind the curve.

With that said, under better circumstances in 2014, the Wolverines could have easily topped 2013’s total of 21 passing touchdowns. Instead, they regressed with just 10. The Devin Gardner-Devin Funchess connection yielded just four touchdowns, with four other receivers combining to cover the remaining six scores.

Distribution was an issue in 2013, too. Gardner hooked up with just five receivers for touchdowns. But the frequency was there, and he had more than one reliable option. He didn’t have that in 2014.

It was Funchess or bust.

Peppers probably can’t replace his presence, but he could help replace some of the production by adopting the very part-time role of a past Wolverines star. Maybe he could be something close to Jeremy Gallon, who was an incredibly speedy and elusive target for Gardner.

Back in 2013, Gallon set a program single-game record with 369 yards versus Indiana. As a senior that year, he led the team with nine touchdowns—many of the highlight-reel variety—and always seemed to make catches at the right time.

If he’s not too busy picking off quarterbacks, Peppers could help out by catching a few passes. 

Running the ball used to be the Wolverines’ trademark. Once upon a time, they helped define the term smashmouth, but they haven’t done much smashing in recent years. Derrick Green, De’Veon Smith and Ty Isaac comprise the assumed backfield trio, but Peppers could lend a hand by running sweeps and stretches.

This past summer, Peppers blogged about running 4.32-second 40-yard dashes (h/t MLive.com’s Nick Baumgardner). That’s faster than any one of Michigan’s running backs. It only makes sense to at least mildly entertain the idea of handing the ball off to Peppers every now and then.

Or if coaches want to really push boundaries, they could design a direct-snap package—you know, for those special occasions (against Ohio State, Michigan State, etc.).

Worth the Hype

Big Ten Rank	Stat	Average per game/attempt	Peppers' Potential Impact
No. 13	First Downs	18.5 PG	Obvious playmaking ability.
No. 14	Turnover Margin	-1.33 TOPG	Interceptions/force fumbles.
No. 11	Punt Return	6.8 YPA	Hands and speed.
No. 11	Kickoff Return	19.9 YPA	Speed and hands.
No. 11	Pass Defense Efficiency	127.2 (Factors total yards, TD, completion percentage)	Disrupt passing game, take away deep threat.
No. 11	Pass Offense	170.2 YPG, 6.3 YPC	Combining overall skills, reversing them for offense. DBs know what WRs do. WRs know what DBs do.

Starting just once and appearing in three games won’t do much for the hype train, but don’t abandon Peppers just yet—his best days are clearly ahead. If anything, his motivation could be at an all-time high.

He entered Michigan looking to immediately prove himself, and essentially being robbed of that opportunity by injury would be enough to ignite a fire in anyone—especially a world-class athlete such as Peppers, who is used to having a starring role.

In fact, Peppers' former coach at Paramus Catholic in New Jersey, Chris Partridge, told Sports in the Mitten that he thrives under critical, game-on-the-line conditions.

Expecting the incredible from Peppers in 2015 isn’t out of the question. For all we know, he’s expecting that and more.

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability. Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.