From Peoples-Jones to Hudson: Plenty Wolverines fight for return jobs

Jabrill Peppers played 11 positions for Michigan last season. So, when he declared for the NFL draft, more than a few jobs opened up. 

Two of the most important — and often overlooked — vacancies were on special teams. 

With Peppers serving as its top punt returner and a part-time kick returner over the past two seasons, Michigan's field position numbers and special teams rankings soared. Now, he's gone. And Michigan has questions to answer. 

Earlier this month, special teams coordinator Chris Partridge admitted the team was trying out a slew of players for the open return spots. He kept the names close to the vest. On Monday, though, assistant special teams coach Jay Harbaugh offered a brief and partial peek at that list. 

“Almost all the running backs have been back there returning kicks and some are returning punts,” Harbaugh said. “The receivers: Eddie (McDoom), Kekoa (Crawford), Tarik (Black), Donovan (Peoples-Jones), some DBs like David Long and Ambry (Thomas). And even a guy like Khaleke (Hudson) has been back there." 

“It’s a good group. You’re just trying to find the guy you feel (most comfortable with).”

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Harbaugh did not mention Nate Johnson's name specifically, but it goes without saying the second-year slot receiver has seen plenty of reps as a returner — he was the team's top punt returner on the depth chart in the spring game. 

Harbaugh acknowledged a decision has to be made sooner than later -- the season opener is less than two weeks away. But he also explained how it cannot be rushed. As the jobs are too important. 

“(We’re still trying to) figure out who you’re going to trust to put in the game during those situations,” he said. “It’s (almost) game week so there is a sense of urgency.

“But with some of these battles, you can let them play out for a few more days before you pull the trigger. And if it’s really tight, that’s a good thing. It means we have more than one guy that’s pretty capable.”

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Trust is the biggest factor here. Peppers was more than an explosive threat to bring a punt back every time he trotted into position. He also didn't turn the ball over. He handled punts and kicks very well in traffic and otherwise during his two years. Even when he made no return at all, his sure hands were saving Michigan field position. 

The Wolverines led the country in starting offensive field position a year ago (63.6). Part of that can be attributed to a stout defense. But part of that also goes to Peppers, who never dropped a ball, or allowed one to take an unnecessary roll. He also was a return threat, which forced several teams to just kick the ball out of bounds and surrender yards. 

No one is expecting any of these 15 candidates to enter the fold and make the type of impact Peppers had right away. But Michigan has some interesting options, so long as they can hang onto the football. 

Peoples-Jones – the country's top-ranked receiver last year – returned three punts for touchdowns at Cass Tech in 2016. He also was clocked at 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash this spring, tops on the team. Thomas was always a threat to bring one back during his run at King.  Long was tied with Lavert Hill as Michigan's fastest defensive player and was an effective returner in high school. 

Again, there are options. Michigan just needs to settle on a few. 

“I could make a list of, like, 15 guys. They’re all (doing well)," Harbaugh said. "They don’t have a ton of experience catching the ball, so getting to a level of trust you need to have a guy back there is the most important thing.”

Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner. Download our Wolverines Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!