The Next Jabrill Peppers: CFB Game-Changers Who Can Play Multiple Positions
Jabrill Peppers was a college football comet.
Thanks to lingering leg injuries which led to a redshirt freshman season, Michigan's multitalented defender played only two years before bolting to the NFL draft, where he became a first-round selection of the Cleveland Browns.
But those years were memorable. Peppers impacted the game in multiple ways, serving as a defensive back, linebacker, kick returner, receiver and tailback and even throwing the occasional pass. His unique abilities made him difficult to game-plan for, but his limited time at Michigan left fans wanting more.
Versatility has become even more important in college football circles, which leads us to ask: Who is the next Peppers? Where will the next guy who can play multiple positions, and play them well, come from?
Virginia Tech S Divine Deablo
1 of 8
Measurables
6'3", 208 pounds
Athleticism
As Justin Fuente settles into his second season at Virginia Tech, he and the Hokies hope to build on last season's ACC Coastal Division title. Part of that process will be leaning on players in different roles.
Sophomore Divine Deablo will be settling in at safety and possibly making a big impact. He mostly contributed on special teams last fall as a wide receiver, making 14 tackles, but he has the speed and ball skills to make a difference for veteran defensive coordinator Bud Foster in the Hokies secondary.
He is a consistent, physical player who will see a much bigger role this fall.
Versatility
Deablo was a notable contributor on special teams despite his lack of opportunity at wide receiver.
He will have an opportunity as a safety, and an offense that lost multiple key players could lean on him in spots as a wide receiver. He'll also have a big role and a chance to make plays on Tech's kick coverage teams.
2017 Expectations
Deablo should be among the Hokies' most improved players in 2017. Expect him to make around 50 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and a sack this fall.
Penn State LB Koa Farmer
2 of 8
Measurables
6'1", 222 pounds
Athleticism
Koa Farmer has found a home at linebacker, but he has the skills of a safety and is capable of covering receivers in the flat with good hitting ability. He also the potential to return kicks and punts for the Nittany Lions.
Versatility
After two seasons of bouncing back and forth between safety and linebacker, Farmer has discovered his feet at linebacker, emerging as a starter there for the Rose Bowl. He will likely be there this fall, but he could also contribute in the secondary as a safety and return kicks if called upon.
2017 Expectations
Farmer finally looks comfortable, so expect his numbers to show it as a junior. Mark him down for around 60 tackles, eight tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery. He'll also register multiple kicks and punts returned on special teams.
Alabama CB Minkah Fitzpatrick
3 of 8
Measurables
6'1", 203 pounds
Athleticism
As usual, Alabama's talented defense suffered some losses to the NFL, but coach Nick Saban has to be thrilled that Minkah Fitzpatrick is back for his junior season.
Fitzpatrick is a playmaker who can make things happen all over the field. He has four career interception returns for touchdowns and had 186 interception return yards last fall. He is excellent in coverage and has great leaping ability and hands.
He will be a cornerstone of the Crimson Tide defense in 2017.
Versatility
Fitzpatrick is capable of playing any position in Alabama's secondary. In his first two years in Tuscaloosa, he has played "star," or slot, corner, as well as nickelback. He finished the season at safety last fall after Eddie Jackson suffered a season-ending injury.
His ability to play multiple positions makes him invaluable. He could even contribute at linebacker if necessary.
2017 Expectations
As a junior, this should be Fitzpatrick's final college football season. He should have around 75 tackles, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and 10 pass breakups.
He will be a leader for another excellent Tide defense.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Michigan S/LB Khaleke Hudson
4 of 8
Measurables
6'0", 205 pounds
Athleticism
Replacing Jabrill Peppers won't be easy, but by the end of spring practice, Wolverines coaches were comfortable with Khaleke Hudson. He has the intangibles to play in the "viper" position Peppers vacated.
He's capable of covering receivers and tight ends, but he's also comfortable rushing the quarterback and going in strong on safety blitzes. Hudson is a good tackler who can play in close quarters or in space and fill a variety of roles for Michigan's defense with good speed and physicality.
Versatility
In high school, Hudson did it all as a safety and running back who was capable of catching passes out of the backfield and also intercepting them as a defensive back.
He spent 2016 as a reserve safety but is ticketed for a bigger role as the "viper" this fall. Peppers spent time as both a safety and linebacker, and we can expect the same for Hudson as a sophomore.
Who knows? Maybe defensive coordinator Don Brown will even help him get in the mix occasionally on offense, as Peppers did. He isn't Peppers, but he's the next best thing.
2017 Expectations
Hudson should have a much bigger presence in 2017. Expect him to rack up around 60 tackles, three sacks, five pass breakups and a pair of interceptions while he plays a wide-ranging role on Michigan's defense.
Florida State S Derwin James
5 of 8
Measurables
6'3", 211 pounds
Athleticism
Derwin James' sophomore season was truncated due to a torn meniscus, but his expected healthy return this fall will be a major boost for Florida State's defense.
As a freshman, James made 91 tackles (9.5 tackles for loss) with five pass breakups and three quarterback hurries. He is a starting safety but has great range in coverage and combines big hitting power, speed and size.
He's just as comfortable blitzing the quarterback as he is covering receivers or tight ends in the flat, and he has the potential to be the best defender in college football. It would be a surprise if 2017 isn't his final season at Florida State.
Versatility
James is a starting safety but is comfortable in multiple positions. He could play both safety spots and has also been used as an outside linebacker and pass-rusher.
That versatility makes him capable of pass rushing and playing in coverage in the same series. The Seminoles defense will be more than happy to have him back at full strength in 2017.
2017 Expectations
James should put up some impressive numbers this fall. Expect around 100 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three interceptions and two sacks, as well as two fumble recoveries.
He is a strong All-America and award candidate anchoring FSU's defense.
Southern California CB Jack Jones
6 of 8
Measurables
5'11", 170 pounds
Athleticism
Southern California should be a contender for a College Football Playoff spot, but the Trojans do have a major void with Adoree' Jackson's departure to the NFL.
Jackson started at cornerback, contributed as a wide receiver and returned kicks and punts. Luckily, USC has a player with the potential to fill those roles in sophomore cornerback Jack Jones.
Jones is now a starting cornerback who will be counted upon more heavily as a sophomore after playing behind Jackson and Iman Marshall as a true freshman.
He is capable of making the big play with speed and smarts but is working on curbing his aggressive nature, which can cause problems if opposing offenses target him.
Versatility
As a high school player, Jones displayed excellent versatility. He was a standout cornerback and wide receiver, and he also returned kicks and punts.
Expect him to focus mostly on cornerback and returning kicks this fall, but you could also see him in the mix at wide receiver, catching passes from Heisman Trophy candidate Sam Darnold.
2017 Expectations
Much more is expected of Jones this fall as a full-time starter. Put him down for around 50 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups and at least one kick returned for a touchdown.
LSU LB Arden Key
7 of 8
Measurables
6'6", 238 pounds
Athleticism
Arden Key is one of the best pass-rushers in the SEC and the nation.
He is a powerful player who has excellent burst off the ball and combines great speed and tackling ability in a package that is tough for opposing offensive lines to contain. He will be vital for another strong defense in Ed Orgeron's first full season as LSU head coach.
Versatility
Key spent his first two seasons as a defensive end, but LSU has him slotted as an outside linebacker this fall.
He missed spring practice for what was termed "personal reasons" and is recovering from shoulder surgery, so it could be closer to the regular season before we see what LSU has in store for him. But either way, Key will be an imposing pass-rusher for the Tigers defense.
2017 Expectations
Last fall, Key put up 56 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. If he's healthy, expect bigger numbers: around 70 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
Orgeron and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda know how to get the most out of him and make him a monster for the Tigers front seven.
Pitt S Jordan Whitehead
8 of 8
Measurables
5'11", 190 pounds
Athleticism
Jordan Whitehead has excellent all-around athleticism.
He is a solid, prolific tackler (109 as a freshman) who also has the ball skills and speed to contribute as a receiver for Pitt's offense. He is one of the most athletic players in the ACC and a key weapon for head coach Pat Narduzzi's hopes of chasing a division title.
Versatility
Whitehead struggled with injuries last season, missing the final three games with an arm problem suffered in the Panthers' upset of eventual national champion Clemson.
He was a two-way starter at safety and wide receiver against Virginia, and he also had 98 rushing yards on 10 carries. He could play at either field or boundary safety this fall, and expect him to get into the mix offensively as a wide receiver as well.
2017 Expectations
If he's healthy, Whitehead's numbers should be improved as a junior.
Expect around 95 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and three interceptions. On offense, we could see around 125 yards rushing to go along with five catches for 150 yards with a touchdown.
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