Michigan Wolverines

Michigan's Peppers eager to show he's a quick learner

Published Sep. 9, 2015 6:09 p.m. ET

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Jabrill Peppers overcame some early miscues to turn in a solid season debut by most accounts.

After losing his man in coverage more than once early on, the redshirt freshman reminded viewers why he was one of the highest-rated recruits in the country two years ago as he flew around the field and made his presence felt.

"That's how I've been my whole life: I've always learned lessons the hard way rather than just actually doing what they say and not trying to make that play too pretty,"Peppers said Tuesday per The Detroit News . "They always tell me, 'Be patient. Be patient, Pep.' My whole life. I was told that on the defensive side of the ball.

"Patience at this level is a must."

Peppers ended up with eight tackles, including seven of the solo variety and two for loss.

He also returned a kickoff 36 yards, leading reporters to wonder if he might get to use his skills on more than one side of the ball in the future.

"If they need me to help in some way, I'll be more than happy to do it, whether receiver, running back, quarterback, whatever, it doesn't matter," said Peppers, who also noted he did not want to take anyone else's role. "As far as that goes, I'm just playing it by ear."

Among the plays coach Jim Harbaugh appreciated most was how Peppers fair caught a punt that could have rolled deep into Michigan territory.

“Spectacular. If that ball hits the ground, you have no idea which way it’s going to bounce," Harbaugh told reporters Monday. "It could have rolled another 20-25 yards as the later punt did, the 74-yard punt.”

(H/T The Detroit News)