Michigan staff says, ‘You’ll love’ Peppers

Is Jabrill Peppers too small to be a linebacker?

Is he too big to be a safety?

Is the 25th overall pick of the 2017 draft a player without a true position?

Greg Mattison, an assistant coach for the Michigan Wolverines, has the answer to all the questions surrounding the second of the Browns’ three first-round draft picks in this year’s draft.

“You’ll love him,” Mattison said bluntly.

Mattison and other members of the Michigan coaching staff were at John Carroll’s “Light up the Land” prospect camp on June 2. When the topic of Peppers, the 5-foot-11, 213-pounder, came up, Mattison said there should be no second guesses as to whether his former pupil can or will succeed in the NFL.

“I don’t care if he would have slipped to the second or third round (based on doubts of where he will play on the field),” Mattison said. “He is going to be a great player.”

In his third and final year with the Wolverines, Peppers had 72 tackles (13 for loss), one interception, one pass defended and one forced fumble as predominantly a linebacker for Coach Jim Harbaugh’s team.

Peppers also ran for 167 yards and three scores, caught two passes, returned 21 punts for 310 yards and a touchdown and returned 10 kicks for 260 yards.

Where does Peppers fit on the field?

Pretty much wherever he wants, Mattison said.

“He can play wherever he wants. Wherever he wants,” Mattison said, repeating himself for an exclamation point. “That could be tailback. He’s a special athlete.

“He did so much for our team because he is unselfish. The guy played offense, was the best kick-returner in the Big Ten and played different positions on defense. How about if he would have played just one position? How good would he have been?”

After being drafted by the Browns, Peppers said he looked forward to “going back to his natural habitat” of being a strong safety.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh predicted Peppers will have a significant and immediate impact on the Browns’ roster. He said Peppers is being diligent with working out and learning in his early weeks with the Browns.

“He’s doing his thing,” Harbaugh said. “I think this bodes well for Cleveland, because he’s a heck of a football player.”

Peppers is expected to vie for a starting position at safety and possibly return kicks and/or punts for the Browns.

Mattison said Peppers’ work is just getting started.

“He’s a guy who will put everything off to the side when he comes to that stadium and goes to work,” Mattison said. “They’re going to get 100 percent of what he is. Every day he goes to practice or plays, he gives it everything.”