Paramus Catholic Alum Jabrill Peppers Declares For NFL Draft

PARAMUS, N.J. — Jabrill Peppers will forgo his last year of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft in April.

Peppers has been a standout defensive player at the University of Michigan since head coach Jim Harbaugh recruited him while he was a student at Paramus Catholic High School.

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Peppers told Sports Illustrated. “I’m choosing between cementing my legacy as a college player and starting my pro legacy. It’s something you dream of when you were a kid. I was torn between the two.”

Peppers has been one of the most dynamic and versatile players to play Division I collegiate football this year. Mostly a defensive player, he also returned punts on special teams and played on the offensive side of the ball. Such play got him nominated for the Heisman Trophy. He finished fifth in the voting.

RELATED: Paramus Catholic's Jabrill Peppers Is A Heisman Trophy Finalist

Peppers was named the Big Ten defensive, linebacker, and return specialist of the year. He was also named to the All-Big Ten defensive and special teams.

Peppers won four state group championships in high school, two for Don Bosco Prep and then two for the Paladins.

In a mock draft analysis, ESPN's Todd McShay has Peppers going No. 4 to the Chicago Bears. He was a dark horse to enter the draft last year.

"Peppers would make sense, given Chicago’s lack of difference-makers in the secondary," McShay said. "He’s a true hybrid player, with the speed and athleticism to thrive in space and the toughness to play bigger than his 205-pound frame."

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