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Having departed Ann Arbor early, with another year of eligibility on the table, Michigan wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones had to have envisioned that his name would be called by now.
Generally, when players depart early, it’s because they’re likely to be picked in the first three-rounds of the NFL draft. Such was the case for the Wolverines other two early entrants, as junior Cesar Ruiz was selected at No. 24 overall by the New Orleans Saints and redshirt junior Josh Uche was picked at No. 60 overall in the second-round by the New England Patriots.
However, Peoples-Jones, a former five-star recruit and rated as the top wide receiver in the 2017 recruiting class gambled on himself, but in a deep draft class of pass catchers, it was the players with the proven production that ended up being selected early.
Sure, it’s easy to second-guess the situation. Should he have stayed for another year? We don’t know expressly why Peoples-Jones was eager to depart. But one thing we do know: he’s not discouraged, at least according to his latest post on social media.
God’s Timing.. it will all make sense in the end.. Believe that.!
— Donovan Peoples-Jones (@dpeoplesjones) April 25, 2020
In three seasons in Ann Arbor, Peoples-Jones reeled in 103 catches for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 9 carries for 87 yards. That’s on top of his role as a punt returner, where he had 83 returns for 743 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Given that Peoples-Jones is an athletic freak, despite never quite showcasing the level of dominance that most expected of him at Michigan, he’ll certainly be an early pick on Saturday.
That said, his best football is ahead of him.