ANN ARBOR — One of the nation’s most versatile player, University of Michigan junior Jabrill Peppers has been selected to the preseason watch list for the 2016 Paul Hornung Award, presented annually to college football’s best all-around player by the Louisville Sports Commission. Peppers was a finalist for the 2015 Hornung Award.

Michigan’s 2016 preseason honorees:

 

Jabrill Peppers, Jr., DB

• Paul Hornung Award Watch List

• Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

• Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List

• Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List

Peppers earned his first varsity letter in 2015, starting 12 games at defensive back. He was selected as the Big Ten Conference’s Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year for 2015, earned second-team All-America honors, and was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, presented to the nation’s most versatile performer.

 

De’Veon Smith, Sr., RB

• Doak Walker Award Watch List

A 2015 All-Big Ten honorable mention pick, Smith has carried the ball 308 times for 1,390 yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns in his career. Smith is a three-year letterman who started 11 games in 2015, leading U-M with 753 rushing yards on 180 carries and six TDs. He also had 19 receptions for 159 yards and one score.

 

Jehu Chesson, Sr., WR

• Allstate AFCA Good

Works Team Nominee

• Biletnikoff Award Watch List

• Maxwell Award Watch List

A three-year letterman, Chesson had a breakout season last year, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors and being named Michigan’s Bo Schembechler MVP. He enters 2016 with 78 receptions for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns. Chesson gained 100 or more yards in three of the final four games of 2015 and led the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns during conference play (nine).

 

Jourdan Lewis, Sr., DB

• Thorpe Award Watch List

• Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

• Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List

• Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List

Lewis, a three-year letterman, has appeared in 37 career games, making 19 starts at cornerback. In 2015, Lewis earned first- and second-team All-America honors and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the nation’s top defensive back.
Erik Magnuson, Sr., OT

• Outland Trophy Award Watch List

Magnuson, an All-Big Ten third-team honoree in 2015, is one of 12 Big Ten athletes named to the Outland Trophy watch list, including one of seven from the offensive side of the ball. He has earned three varsity letters and has made 24 starts in his career, totaling 32 appearances.

 

Chris Wormley, Sr., DE

• Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

• Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List

A three-year letterman and two-year starter, Wormley has appeared in 29 career games, making 17 starts along the defensive line. In 2015, Wormley received third-team All-Big Ten honors. He has posted 93 tackles during his career and leads the team in tackles for loss (24) and sacks (12).

 

Jake Butt, Sr., TE

• John Mackey Award Watch List

• Maxwell Award Watch List

A 2015 first-team All-American, Butt was the Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year. He is a three-year letterman and is the sixth tight end in school history to reach 1,000 career receiving yards. He was a semifinalist for last year’s John Mackey Award.

, presented annually to the nation’s top tight end, after collecting 51 catches for 654 yards and three touchdowns.