Michigan Football: Ranking the 5 Best Candidates for Wolverines Team MVP
The Michigan football team has a handful of deserving candidates for team MVP after a respectable 9-3 regular season during the 2015 campaign.
Jake Rudock bounced back from a lackluster start to his Wolverines career, while veterans showed dramatic improvement from a year ago and a young star flashed his potential.
Granted, the definition of "most valuable" can take many different directions. In terms of value alone, there's no question Jabrill Peppers—a cornerback, safety, running back, wide receiver and returner—is No. 1.
The biggest factor in this list, however, is production while on the field. Peppers is a contender, but he's not in the top spot.
5. Ryan Glasgow, Defensive Tackle
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Sometimes, you don't understand what you have until it's gone. Such was the case with nose tackle Ryan Glasgow, who missed the final three games.
It's no coincidence that Michigan lacked its elite run-stopping prowess without the fourth-year junior. Glasgow injured a pectoral muscle against Rutgers and missed the final three games.
The Wolverines were the nation's No. 3 rush defense when Glasgow was in the lineup. Michigan dropped to No. 19 after Indiana and Ohio State racked up 307 and 369 rushing yards, respectively.
Glasgow managed 25 tackles—five of which were for loss. Despite playing in nine games, his on-field impact would be foolish to discount.
4. Jabrill Peppers, Cornerback
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By no means is this placement an indictment on Peppers, because this kid is special. Following an injury-plagued 2014 season, the former 5-star prospect showed why he was so highly touted.
Peppers started every game either at safety or cornerback, recorded 45 total tackles and broke up 10 passes. His 11.4-yard punt-return average ranked 24th-best in the nation, and Peppers registered a 27.9-yard clip on eight kick returns.
The versatile weapon managed 72 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and added eight catches for 79 yards.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh regularly praised the standout sophomore, even comparing him to a baseball legend, per the Detroit Free Press.
"He's such good player," Harbaugh said. "I can think of five different positions he could be really good at in football. Can somebody be the Willie Mays of football? Can somebody be the five-tool player, the five-position player? Maybe. Maybe that'll end up being Jabrill Peppers."
3. Jehu Chesson, Wide Receiver
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Amara Darboh led the Wolverines with 56 receptions, but Michigan felt Jehu Chesson's impact all over the field.
The speedy receiver caught 45 passes for 646 yards and a team-leading eight touchdowns, including a 207-yard, four-score day against Indiana.
Chesson notched two touchdowns on jet sweeps, tacking on a pair of 20-yard runs. He also returned the opening kickoff 96 yards to the house versus Northwestern. That set the tone for a 38-0 blowout on homecoming weekend.
Overall, the fourth-year junior reached the end zone 11 times. Chesson scored eight times during the last five games. His emergence helped the Wolverines stay relevant in the Big Ten picture down the stretch.
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2. Jake Rudock, Quarterback
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Two months ago, it would've been borderline laughable to suggest Rudock deserved a place on a list about MVP candidates.
During September, Rudock threw five interceptions compared to just four touchdowns. However, the Iowa transfer accounted for 15 scores and tossed just four picks to close out the regular season.
He became the first Michigan quarterback to throw for 250 yards in three consecutive games and recently extended that streak to four. Rudock also torched Indiana for a career-best 440 yards and six touchdowns.
Rudock's 2,739 yards is already the fifth-best mark in program history, and a 222-yard performance in the team's bowl game would elevate him to No. 2.
1. Jourdan Lewis, Cornerback
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We knew Jourdan Lewis was good. We didn't know the cornerback was capable of this.
Few college players can stake a claim to being a true lockdown corner, but Lewis was exactly that in 2015. He set a Michigan record with 19 pass breakups, swatting six during a showdown with Michigan State's Aaron Burbridge.
Lewis accounted for 49 total tackles, forced a fumble and grabbed two interceptions, taking one 37 yards for a touchdown. He also returned 15 kicks and compiled a 25.2-yard average.
A potential early-round NFL draft pick, Lewis posted a tweet that suggested he'll return for his senior season. Another season of Lewis and Peppers? Michigan fans will take that.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from CFBStats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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