The Michigan Wolverines fell two spots shy of making the 2016 College Football Playoff. Even so, it can't be denied that the Wolverines enjoyed an incredibly strong season individually and collectively.
Heisman Trophy finalist Jabrill Peppers will find out his Heisman fate on Saturday night, but on Wednesday he was named the recipient of the Paul Hornung Award, which is presented annually to the nation's most versatile college football player. Teammate Jake Butt on Wednesday received the John Mackey Award, which honors the most outstanding tight end in college football.
Peppers, a junior, is the first Michigan player to win the Hornung Award, a distinction and an honor he doesn't take lightly.
"I think there are a lot of guys who could have won this award, so it's just a tremendous honor to be the winner and to represent the Paul Hornung Award. I'm just going to keep trying to get better, keep working on my faults, and do whatever I have to do to help my team," Peppers said in a school release.
On the field, Peppers can seemingly do it all. He's played an astounding 15 different positions during the 2016 season. Peppers has lined up for 726 plays on defense, 53 plays on offense and 154 snaps on special teams to total 933 snaps so far this season.
Defensively, he has registered 72 tackles this season. His 16 tackles for loss rank first on the team, third in the Big Ten and 25th in the FBS. Offensively, he has run for 167 yards and three touchdowns. On special teams, Peppers also has a punt-return touchdown.
"It's a great honor first and foremost, especially for this team," Butt said of his award in a separate school release. "One thing Coach [Jim] Harbaugh says, 'A rising tide raises all ships.' So it's great to win this award. I want to thank the guys in this group. This is our award, really -- it's not a one-man award."
This season, Butt totaled 43 receptions for 508 yards and four touchdowns. The senior is Michigan's all-time leader in receptions and yards by a tight end, with 135 receptions for 1,618 yards for his career.
Butt and Peppers will be presented their trophies during the ESPNU Red Carpet Show that leads up to the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 8.
--Meaghan Latella