Sophomore wide receiver and punt returner Donovan Peoples-Jones had an up and down season in 2017.
He was benched as the punt returner during his first game in the Big House. One week later, he took a punt to the house against Air Force. He nearly took one for a touchdown against Ohio State 10 weeks later.
Thursday, Peoples-Jones was recognized as one of the most dynamic players in college football, as he was named to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award.
Watch List Season continues... @dpeoplesjones has been named to the @hornungaward Watch List! (@JabrillPeppers won this award in 2016)
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) July 26, 2018
THE LATEST » https://t.co/6vdOBlVqbD#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/GkW3xbYic3
The award, which was last won by a Wolverine by Jabrill Peppers in 2016, is given to the nation’s top versatile player.
As a freshman, Peoples-Jones played in all 13 games and had 22 catches for 277 yards. He did not record a receiving touchdown, but was, in my opinion, robbed of one against Wisconsin.
He also carried the ball four times for 57 yards.
Peoples-Jones is expected to have a prominent role on the team this season. With fellow sophomore receiver Tarik Black returning from a broken foot, the sky is the limit for both these talented youngsters, and the offense as a whole for that matter.
We are just a shade under a month away from Michigan/Notre Dame on Sept. 1. But until then, let’s take in Peoples-Jones’ highlight of his freshman season and continue to anxiously await the arrival of college football.