Michigan or draft? Jabrill Peppers won’t tip his hand

Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers, a redshirt sophomore, hasn’t declared whether he will stay at Michigan for another season or head off to the NFL, and he isn’t tipping his hand.

During an appearance Thursday on the Dan Patrick Show, Patrick asked Peppers why he would stay at Michigan. Peppers is in Atlanta Thursday night for the ESPN Awards show and will be in New York on Saturday as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

“To get a degree, try to finish some unfinished business here, keep getting better working on my craft,” Peppers said on the radio show. “I don’t know, man. I’m not even thinking about that right now.”

His mother reportedly has been preparing for agent interviews, and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper on Thursday said Peppers is his top-rated safety and is projected a first-round selection.

Patrick asked Peppers which Heisman candidate he’d vote for and he said it would come down to Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson. He said because Watson led Clemson in a victory over Louisville he would go with Watson.

“So that’s who I’d give my vote to,” Peppers said.

Kiper ranks Jabrill Peppers No. 1 safety in draft

Peppers also was asked who would in if Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh fought Ohio State coach Urban Meyer “in the octagon,” Patrick asked, referring to ultimate fighting.

“Harbaugh wins 100 percent – 100 percent,” Peppers said, laughing.  “There’s a side of him you guys never know. We know it, we’ve seen it. He’s a guy who will do whatever it takes to win. Definitely some rules will be broken, but I’ve got to pull for my coach on that one. He would do whatever he has to do to win. That’s how he coaches, that’s how he’s gonna fight.”

As for the double-overtime loss to Ohio State, Peppers told Patrick it’s tough to move on.

“I’m never over a loss until we win again,” Peppers said. “Our focus and preparation are for this Orange Bowl with a very good FSU team. Last year we prepared the right way and took care of business against Florida.”