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The NFL Scouting Combine is partially underway, with participants talking to the media just days before the actual drills and strength components are set to begin.
Thus, we not only get to hear from former Michigan football players about their experiences in Ann Arbor, but also why the juniors chose to go pro and what teams all of them have been talking to thus far.
Speaking of juniors, it wasn’t much of a surprise that Wolverines wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones chose to depart early for the NFL. It was anticipated he would be a three-year player when he enrolled early back in Jan. 2017, but his numbers never quite reached the potential anticipated when he arrived as a five-star and the top receiver in his class.
But, naturally, that’s not indicative of his skill-set, his talent, nor his potential at the next level.
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He shared with reporters in Indianapolis why he chose to depart school early, and it was as simple as feeling like it was his time to make the move to the professional ranks.
“I feel that I’m ready. I feel that I’m ready,” Peoples-Jones said. “This has been my dream for a long time and I feel that I’m ready.”
With that in mind, the Detroit (MI) Cass Tech alumnus would love nothing more than to play professional football at the stadium that he could see from his high school field.
Cass Tech and Ford Field are within eyesight and walking distance from each other, and Peoples-Jones is an unabashed fan of the state of Michigan and Detroit. And, yes, that means he’s a Detroit Lions fan, as well.
The Lions have the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, but also have the No. 35 and 67 picks in the second and third rounds, respectively. And Peoples-Jones is lobbying for his opportunity to stay home and wear the Honolulu blue.
“That would mean everything,” Peoples-Jones said. “The Lions growing up there, going to Michigan, maybe if I went to Detroit, that would mean everything. I love the Lions, I love everything about the Lions.”
It’s not something you see very often, the player who grows up in Detroit, goes to high school there, plays at Michigan and then ends up with the Lions. It happens, but quite infrequently.
However, if Peoples-Jones has his way, he could be the next one to make that happen.