5 Best Ways to Use Jabrill Peppers on Offense

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is considering using Jabrill Peppers in all three facets of the game, and the sophomore could bring much-needed versatility to the Wolverines offense.

Peppers can line up in multiple positions and fill a variety of roles, something he showed during his high school days. Consequently, Peppers can be more than a gadget player who only enters in specific formations.

That being said, Harbaugh has not committed to using Peppers on offense. Per MLive's Nick Baumgardner, the first-year coach said he's exploring the option.

If Harbaugh ultimately elects that it's a solid choice, he should be looking at a few particular ways to utilize Peppers.

Wide Receiver

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Sure, it's a pretty general category, but being a wide receiver is essentially a matter of running crisp routes and creating separation without the aid of a certain blocking scheme.

Harbaugh and passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch can put Peppers anywhere on the field—in the backfield, the slot, out wide—and choose any route.

When in the backfield, for example, he could run a flare, a screen or the vaunted wheel route. From any typical receiver position, Peppers could have a strong portion of the route tree available, complete with double moves, verticals and quick-hitters.

Between a knack for high-pointing footballs and sub-4.4 speed (h/t Baumgardner), the mere threat of Peppers would take a little pressure off Michigan's other receivers.

Jet Sweeps

Perhaps the most predictable way is to align Peppers as the slot receiver, send him in motion across the formation and execute a jet sweep.

When done properly, he'll sprint past linemen committing to the quarterback and theoretically be guided to the edge and hit the outside.

At that point, the outcome of what could be a disappointing, moderate or big-yardage play is the blocking by the wide receiver. Put simply, Peppers has the speed to outrun nearly every defender in a footrace, so he needs that final seal to spring him into the open field.

Sealing the defensive end is absolutely critical, though, lest Peppers have nowhere to run immediately after taking the handoff. That almost-certain tackle would likely leave Michigan fans holding their breath.

But again, if executed properly, the predictability of the jet sweep is countered with stout blocking. Plus, it sets up a play call with which Peppers is indirectly involved.

Motion Decoy

Once the Wolverines establish Peppers as a threat to receive the jet sweep, a defense's collective aggressiveness can be tested. If a defense overcommits to the quick handoff, the opponent subsequently leaves itself vulnerable for a normal run. 

Peppers could start the play by coming in motion, which should draw a weak-side defender toward the line of scrimmage. The quarterback fakes the handoff to Peppers, then gives it to the running back, who follows the offensive line, as per the usual.

Derrick Green, Ty Isaac, Drake Johnson or De'Veon Smith can then burst into the second level that became short-handed because of Peppers' motion.

Peppers avoids contact while still contributing to the offense. If the offensive line carries out its responsibility up front, the fake jet sweep is a win-win.

Direct Snaps

Ideally, Michigan avoids sending Peppers up the middle and subjecting him to the ever-so-slightly increased risk of injury. But at the same time, it's football. He's more likely to twist an ankle in coverage.

The accompanying video shows him at Paramus Catholic (New Jersey) pulling off a ridiculous run in which he avoids, oh, approximately 13 tacklers. Peppers' vision is on full display, but another important attribute seen is his willingness to run inside.

He doesn't necessarily look for a crease to hit the outside. Instead, Peppers slashes back up the middle and then dances his way into the end zone. That sequence of jukes and spins is unlikely to pay off in such a dramatic fashion in the Big Ten, but it's impressive, nonetheless.

Additionally, Peppers spent time leading the read option. Shane Morris and Jake Rudock probably won't receive that play call very often, so Peppers is a perfect alternative for the popular run.

Outside Runs

Courtesy of 247Sports

Jabrill Peppers

Adjectives used to describe Peppers commonly include a reference to his speed, quickness, acceleration, etc. So, use it.

Send him seven yards deep. Put fullback Joe Kerridge in front of Peppers. Snap the ball and let the blockers work to open space for Peppers to showcase his elite speed.

Outside zones are likely disappearing under Harbaugh, so sweeps and stretches would be the most effective runs. They intend for the running back to reach the edge anyway.

The offensive style Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Tim Drevno are expected to display is based on power and fundamentals, something of which Peppers is perfectly suited to take advantage.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.