5 most exciting Michigan football players of the past 20 years

2. Jabrill Peppers

Jabrill is one of the rare players that came in with all the hype in the world and lived up to every single bit of that hype. A freak athlete in every sense of the word as he excelled defensively as well as offensively.

Jabrill had a total of 119 tackles, 3 sacks, 11 pass deflections, and one interception as a Michigan football player. I'm only going to post his defensive stats because he was primarily a defender.

However, that does not even begin to tell the story about how exciting Peppers was as a player for the Wolverines. He was an electric kick and punt returner who had a chance to take it to the house every single time he touched the ball. He showed that ability against Colorado in 2016 when he housed a punt return. He also could have been one of the best offensive skill players in the country if he played full-time offense.

The Michigan football legend showed those skills vs Rutgers in 2016 when he rushed three times for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Peppers was the definition of excitement to everyone who watched him play because of his play-making capability no matter where he was on the field or what position he was playing. He finished 5th in Heisman voting for the 2016 season to cap off an incredible career at Michigan. Peppers versatility earns him the #2 spot on this list.

1. Denard Robinson

Shoelace will always hold a special place in many Michigan fans' hearts because he got us all through a difficult time to be a Michigan fan. His first run ever in college was a broken play that he took to the house for a touchdown vs Western Michigan. It truly did not matter what kind of play was being run because as long as the ball was in Denard's hands, there was a chance it could end up in a touchdown.

Denard finished his career with 6,250 passing yards, 49 touchdowns, and a 57% completion percentage. He also carried the ball 723 times for 4,495 yards and 42 touchdowns. The most memorable game from the Denard Robinson era is the 2010 game at Notre Dame.

It is perhaps the most preposterous stat line of all time from one single player. He threw the ball for 244 yards with a touchdown and rushed the ball 28 times for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns. This game epitomizes why he is the most exciting player to watch during the last 20 years of Michigan football. Denard could be the best quarterback and best running back on the field in the same game. He had lightning speed, a rocket arm, and did it all with his shoes untied. Denard earns the #1 on the list.