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Wolverines in the NFL: Olu Oluwatimi makes first career start, Jabrill Peppers shines

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•10/24/23•

CSayf23

Jabrill Peppers
(Photo by Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)

Former Michigan Wolverines football offensive lineman Olu Oluwatimi won the Outland and Rimington trophies last season (nation’s best center and interior lineman, respectively) and was a fifth-round draft pick this past spring. He’s been eased into his rookie campaign but received more playing time of late, and made his first career start this past weekend in a 20-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Oluwatimi was starting in replacement of regular starter Evan Brown. According to PFF, Oluwatimi performed at a high level in pass blocking, with a 76.6 grade in that area. That ranked second on his team, with the rookie only allowing 1 pressure. Three starting linemen, by comparison, gave up a pair of pressures.

In the AFC, former Michigan standout Jabrill Peppers — a seven-year vet — is enjoying one of his best seasons. He’s started all seven contests for the 2-5 Patriots, totaling 46 tackles, 2 stops for loss and an interception.

That pick came in a big upset win over the Buffalo Bills this past weekend, 29-25. The Patriots led 3-0 after their first possession, and Peppers took the opportunity for Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Co. to answer a score with a score by notching his first interception of the season and fifth of his career.

Peppers is also excelling against the run. With a 93.0 grade, he’s the top-rated run defender in the league, according to PFF.

Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 7.

Ronnie Bell (played at Michigan from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers

Played six special teams snaps in a 22-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins … Hauled in 3 catches for 31 yards and a touchdown in seven games for the 5-2 49ers.

Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Giants

Started at center in a 14-7 win over the Washington Commanders … Opened six of seven games for the 2-5 Giants.

Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks

Healthy but listed as inactive in a 20-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals … Played in three games with one start for the 4-2 Seahawks, compiling 3 tackles.

Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks

The former Michigan and UCLA running back missed his team’s 20-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals with a hamstring injury … Carried 23 times for 109 yards with a 15-yard long and reeled in 6 receptions for 36 yards in five appearances for the 4-2 Seahawks.

Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders

Snapped 13 times in a 14-7 loss to the New York Giants … Snapped in all seven games for the 3-4 Commanders this season.

Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, free agent

Released by the Denver Broncos after taking a pay reduction per his request … Reportedly visited the Kansas City Chiefs, his former team with which he won two Super Bowls, last week … Haven’t seen to have been any recent developments on his next move, however.

Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers

Started at center in a 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams … Posted an 83.7 PFF pass-blocking grade for the game … Started at center in all six outings for the 4-2 Steelers.

Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans

Had a bye over the weekend … Leads the 3-3 Texans with 29 receptions, 547 receiving yards and 3 touchdown grabs while starting three of six clashes.

Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Started and recorded 6 tackles, tying a season high, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit in a 31-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers … Second on the team with 4.5 sacks this season … Added 25 tackles, 4 stops for loss and 2 pass breakups for the 6-1 ball club.

Chris Evans (2016-18, 20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Had a bye … Notched 1 reception for minus-1 yard, attempted 2 rushes for 12 yards and returned a pair of kicks for 45 yards in four games for the 3-3 Bengals.

Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers

Started and recorded 3 tackles and a quarterback hit in a 19-17 loss to the Denver Broncos … Totaled 12 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hits and a pass breakup in six games with two starts for the 2-4 Packers.

Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Detroit Lions

Started at left guard and posted a 70.7 overall PFF grade (third on the offense) in a 38-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Opened the last five contests and appeared in all seven for the 5-2 Lions.

Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Came off the bench but did not have any statistics in a 31-17 win over the Miami Dolphins … Appeared in all seven outings for the 6-1 Eagles, compiling 5 tackles, 1 stop for loss, a half-sack, 3 quarterback hits and a pass breakup.

Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals

Had a bye … Collected 45 total tackles, adding 4 behind the line of scrimmage, 1.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, 5 pass breakups and 2 interceptions in his second, breakout season in the league for the 3-3 Bengals.

Christopher Hinton (2019-21), DL, Los Angeles Chargers

Has yet to see game action this season.

James Hudson (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns

Played eight offensive snaps and six special teams plays in a 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts … Appeared in five contests for the 4-2 Browns this season.

Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders

Started for the first time this season and just the fifth time in his career in a 14-7 loss to the New York Giants … Compiled 1 sack along with 3 tackles, 1 stop for loss and a quarterback hit … Has 5 tackles on the season.

Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns

Totaled 3 tackles and a stop for loss in a 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts … The former Michigan defensive end has recorded 13 tackles, 2 for loss, a half-sack, 2 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups in six games for the 4-2 Browns.

Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions

Committed one penalty and made 4 tackles with a fumble recovery in a 38-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Ranks second in the league with 42 pressures, 1 behind the leader (Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby) … Totaled 22 tackles, 4 for loss, 4.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble while starting all seven games for the 5-2 Lions.

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys

Had a bye … egistered 13 tackles, 1 pass breakup and 1 fumble recovery in five appearances off the bench for the 4-2 Cowboys.

David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Las Vegas Raiders

The former Michigan cornerback started for the first time this season and had 6 tackles in a 30-12 loss to the Chicago Bears, which threw for just 162 yards and a touchdown in the game … Long has played in all seven outings for the 3-4 Raiders, recording 11 tackles and a pass breakup.

Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), G, New York Giants

Played on special teams in a 14-7 win over the Washington Commanders … Appeared in three tilts for the 2-5 Giants (each of the last three weeks).

Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts

Saw 13 special teams snaps in a 39-38 setback to the Cleveland Browns … The former Michigan linebacker has put up no stats while playing exclusively on special teams in six games for the 3-4 Colts.

Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings

Started and posted 5 tackles in a 22-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers … Opened all seven games this season, totaling 47 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack, 5 quarterback hits, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble for the 3-4 Vikings.

Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers

Made both of his extra points and went 1-for-2 on field goals in a 22-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … His make was from 55 yards out … Perfect (24-of-24) on PATs and 11-for 14 on field goals this season.

Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks

Missed the last five games with a shoulder injury, after recording 3 tackles in Week 1 for the 4-2 Seahawks.

David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens

Suffered an ankle injury in his third appearance of the season in Week 3, but opted for rehab over surgery and expects to return at some point this year … Collected 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit and 1 forced fumble in three clashes for the 5-2 Ravens.

Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks

Started for the first time in his career, playing center in a 20-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Graded out at 76.6 in pass blocking per PFF, the second-highest on the team … Allowed just 1 pressure … The former Michigan center has played in five game with one start for the 4-2 Seahawks.

Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

The former Michigan lineman started at right tackle in a 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills … Played in five games, starting all of them, for the 2-5 Patriots.

Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts

Started and recorded 5 tackles in a 39-38 loss to the Cleveland Browns … The former Michigan defensive end has registered 19 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hits and 2 fumble recoveries while starting all six games in which he’s appeared for the 3-4 Colts.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns

Reeled in 2 grabs for 22 yards, his second-highest output in a game this season, in a 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts … Totaled 8 catches for 97 yards in six games with four starts for the 4-2 Browns.

Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), DB, New England Patriots

The former Michigan Heisman Trophy finalist made 9 tackles, a quarterback hit, an interception and a pass breakup in a 29-25 win over the Buffalo Bills … For the season, has put up 46 tackles, 1 quarterback hit, a pick, a pass breakup and a forced fumble while starting all seven games for the 2-5 Patriots.

Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals

Had a bye … Punted 32 times with a 44.3-yard average and a 62-yard long for the 3-3 Bengals.

Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints

Started at right guard in a 31-24 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars … The former Michigan lineman has opened six contests and missed one for the 5-2 Jaguars.

Jon Runyan (2015-19), G, Green Bay Packers

Opened a 19-17 setback to the Denver Broncos at right guard and allowed 3 pressures with no sacks … Started six contests for the 2-4 Packers.

Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys

Had a bye … Targeted 6 times but only has 1 reception — a 1-yard touchdown — in six outings on the season for the 4-2 Cowboys.

Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys

The former Michigan defensive tackle had a bye week … The first-round draft choice has recorded 4 tackles and 1 stop for loss in six appearances for the 4-2 Cowboys.

Ambry Thomas (2017-20), CB, San Francisco 49ers

Saw six special teams snaps in a 22-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, his team’s second-straight setback … Totaled 16 tackles and 1 pass breakup while starting two of his six appearances for the 5-2 49ers.

DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Had a bye … The former Michigan cornerback has started two of his six games for the 3-3 Bengals, putting up 12 tackles and 2 pass breakups.

Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots

Missed a win over the Buffalo Bills with a foot injury … Recorded 6 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hits in six games with two starts for the 2-5 Patriots.

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (2015-17), OT, New England Patriots

On the injured list currently … Made two appearances this season.

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