10 Things About Newest NY Giant, Bergen Co.'s Jabrill Peppers

Jabrill Peppers, one of the most dynamic and best football players to come out of Bergen County, is coming home: Peppers was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the New York Giants for Odell Beckham Jr., Kevin Zeitler, and two draft picks this week, multiple news outlets reported.

Here are ten things to know about him before he steps into the Giants uniform

Where Is He From?

Peppers is from East Orange. He is 23 years old.

What Position Does He Play?

Peppers is a free safety on defense. He also runs back kickoffs and punts.

Who Has Had The Most Impact On His Life?

Peppers said his mother and his brother, Don Curtis are the people who influenced him the most, according to Giants.com. Curtis, 20, was shot and killed in 2010.

He Won 4 Consecutive High School Group Football Championships

He won two at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey in 2010 and 2011 and two at Paramus Catholic High School in 2012 and 2013. He was named the 2013 All-USA Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-USA High School Football first team.

He Was A State Champion Track Star In High School

Peppers was an accomplished track athlete. He broke the New Jersey record in the 200-meter dash as a junior with a time of 20.79 seconds, Giants.com reported. He earned state titles in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes and the 4-by-400-meter relay and 4-by-100-meter relay, Giants.com reported.

He Can Play Nearly Any Position On The Football Field

Peppers played at multiple positions in every phase of football while a Michigan Wolverine. He was a kick and punt returner, linebacker, which was his primary position, safety, cornerback, running back, wide receiver, and even quarterback.

He Was A Heisman Trophy Finalist

Peppers was nominated for the honor in 2016, in his final year at Michigan. He was the only primary defensive player to be nominated for college football's highest honor that year, but lost out to Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. (See related: Paramus Catholic's Jabrill Peppers Is A Heisman Trophy Finalist)

He Won Three Big Ten Conference Awards In One Season

Peppers was named the Nagurski-Woodsen Defensive Player of the Year, the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year, and the Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year in 2016. (See related: Former Bergen Football Star Jabrill Peppers Earns 3 All-Conference Awards)

He Was A First-Round NFL Draft Pick

The Cleveland Browns selected Peppers in the first round with the 25th pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. (See related: Paramus Catholic's Jabrill Peppers Drafted No. 25 By Cleveland Browns)

He Got Better During His Second Season

He played in 13 games during his rookie season in 2017. He deflected three passes and had an interception that season, his stats on NFL.com show. He had 52 solo tackles in 2018, eight more than he had his rookie season. He also had five pass deflections and more kickoff and punt returns yards in 2018 than in 2017.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com