Donovan Peoples-Jones

Last updated

Donovan Peoples-Jones
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2021).jpg
Peoples-Jones with the Browns in 2021
No. 19 – Detroit Lions
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1999-02-19) February 19, 1999 (age 25)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school: Cass Tech (Detroit, Michigan)
College: Michigan (2017–2019)
NFL draft: 2020  / Round: 6 / Pick: 187
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:122
Receiving yards:1,895
Receiving touchdowns:8
Return yards:858
Return touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Donovan Peoples-Jones (born February 19, 1999), also known as "DPJ", [1] [2] is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Peoples-Jones played high school, collegiate and professional football in the state of Michigan.

Contents

Early years

Donovan Peoples-Jones was born in Detroit on February 19, 1999, to Roslyn Peoples and Eddie Jones. He attended Southfield Christian School in 7th and 8th grade, but then opted out to look for a career in sports. He then attended Cass Technical High School where he was a five-star recruit and rated as the best wide receiver recruit from the state of Michigan since Charles Rogers in 2000. [3] [4] Peoples-Jones was named the 2016 Michigan High School Football Player of the Year by MLive Media Group on November 22, 2016. [5] As a senior at Cass Tech, Peoples-Jones had 60 receptions for 1,071 yards and 17 touchdowns. On December 15, 2016, he committed to play for the University of Michigan in a nationally televised press conference on ESPN2. [6]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40‡Commit date
Donovan Peoples-Jones
WR 		Detroit, Michigan Cass Technical High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)193 lb (88 kg)4.45Dec 15, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 5 stars.svg     Rivals: 5 stars.svg     247Sports: 5 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 12   247Sports: 26   ESPN: 22
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Michigan Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.

College career

Peoples-Jones with Michigan in 2017 Donavan Peoples-Jones (37055143700).jpg
Peoples-Jones with Michigan in 2017

After committing to Michigan, Peoples-Jones enrolled early in January 2017. After watching Peoples-Jones and fellow freshman Tarik Black in spring practice, offensive lineman Mason Cole predicted the pair were "going to be unbelievable." [7]

On September 2, 2017, Peoples-Jones started at punt returner as a true freshman in Michigan's season opener against Florida. He returned five punts for 40 yards, including an 18-yard return. [8] [9] [10] In his second game, he ran 44 yards on a jet sweep in the first quarter against Cincinnati. In his third game, he returned two punts for 104 yards, including a 79-yard return for a touchdown in the third quarter against Air Force. His 79-yard return for a touchdown was the longest by any Michigan punt returner since Steve Breaston went 83 yards against Indiana in 2006. [11] He finished with the second-most return attempts and eighth-most return yards in a single season by a Wolverine, and also caught 22 passes for 277 yards. Following an outstanding freshman season, he was named a Freshman All-American by Football Writers Association of America and 247 Sports, and was named Michigan's Rookie of the Year. [12]

During the 2018 season, Peoples-Jones led the team with 39 receptions, for 541 yards and seven touchdowns. Peoples-Jones ranked second in the Big Ten in punt return average (10.1) among players with 10 returns or more, and his 64 career return attempts ranks fourth in Michigan program history. On October 20, 2018, in a rivalry game against Michigan State, Peoples-Jones had a career-long reception of 79 yards for a touchdown. [13] Following the season, he was named to the All-Big Ten special teams third-team, by both the coaches and media, and the All-Big Ten offensive teams third-team by coaches. [14] [15]

Following the 2019 season, he was named to the All-Big Ten special teams third-team by the media, and the All-Big Ten offensive team honorable mention by the media. [16] [17] On January 4, 2020, Peoples-Jones announced he would forgo his final season of eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL draft. [18] [19]

College statistics

SeasonTeamConfGPReceivingRushingReturning
RecYdsAvgTDAttYdsAvgTDRetYdsAvgTD
2017 Michigan Big Ten 132227712.6045714.30403208.01
2018 Michigan Big Ten 134761213.0833712.302525010.01
2019 Michigan Big Ten 113443812.962−7−3.50241737.20
Career 371031,32712.9149879.70897438.32

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 1+5⁄8 in
(1.87 m)		212 lb
(96 kg)		33+1⁄2 in
(0.85 m)		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		4.48 s1.54 s2.63 s44.5 in
(1.13 m)		11 ft 7 in
(3.53 m)
All values from NFL Combine [20] [21]

Cleveland Browns

Peoples-Jones with the Browns in 2023 Donovan Peoples-Jones (53142874758).jpg
Peoples-Jones with the Browns in 2023

Peoples-Jones was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round with the 187th overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft. [22] He signed his rookie contract with the Browns on May 20, 2020. [23] On October 25, 2020, Peoples-Jones caught three passes for 56 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 11 seconds left in the game during the 37–34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. [24] In Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, Peoples-Jones recorded two catches for 92 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown, during the 41–35 win. [25] In Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens, Peoples-Jones recorded three catches for 74 yards and a two-point conversion. [26] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 26, 2020, [27] and activated on December 31. [28] He finished his rookie season with 14 receptions for 304 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 12 games. [29]

On October 17, 2021, in Week 6, Peoples-Jones caught four passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals, including a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. [30] [31] He finished the 2021 season with 34 receptions for 597 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 14 games. [32]

In Week 13 of the 2022 season, Peoples-Jones had a 76-yard punt return touchdown in a 27–14 win over the Houston Texans, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. [33] In the following game, against the Bengals, he had eight receptions for 114 receiving yards. [34] In the 2022 season, he finished with 61 receptions for 839 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. [35]

Detroit Lions

On October 31, 2023, Peoples-Jones, a Detroit native, was traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. [36] [37]

On March 18, 2024, Peoples-Jones re-signed with the Lions. [38]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceivingRushingFumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2020 CLE 1221430421.775T2000.00000
2021 CLE 1493459717.660T3000.00021
2022 CLE 17146183913.8423122.02000
2023 CLE 7589712.12900000010
DET 8155811.62000000000
Total 58311221,89515.5758122.02031

Postseason

YearTeamGamesReceivingFumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2020 CLE 2223115.523000
2023 DET 30000.00000
Career 5223115.523000

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desmond Howard</span> American football player (born 1970)

Desmond Kevin Howard is an American former football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he was a two-time All-American, including a unanimous All-American selection in 1991, winning the Heisman Trophy. He was selected fourth overall in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Howard spent most of his career on special teams as a return specialist and holds the NFL single season record for punt return yardage. With the Green Bay Packers, Howard was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXI after setting an NFL record for punt return yards and returning a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown, the longest return in Super Bowl history at the time. To date, he is the only special teams player to receive the award. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Northcutt</span> American football player (born 1977)

Dennis LaMont Northcutt is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and punt returner for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats, earning consensus All-American honors and setting team career receiving records. A second-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, he played professionally for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions of the NFL.

Derrick Scott Alexander is an American college football coach and former wide receiver. He is the head football coach for Avila University, a position he has held since 2023. He played college football at the University of Michigan from 1989 to 1993 where he was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten receiver in both 1992 and 1993. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft and played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Cleveland Browns (1994–1995), Baltimore Ravens (1996–1997), Kansas City Chiefs (1998–2001), and Minnesota Vikings (2002). In 2000, he set a Kansas City Chiefs single-season record with 1,391 receiving yards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Moore</span> American football player (born 1983)

Lance Andrew Moore is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Toledo Rockets. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2005. Moore joined the New Orleans Saints in 2006 and played with them for eight seasons, and was a member of the 2009 Super Bowl championship team that beat the Indianapolis Colts. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Roberts (American football)</span> American football player (born 1988)

Andre McXavier Roberts is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He played college football for The Citadel Bulldogs and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. Roberts has played for nine teams in his NFL career; in addition to the Cardinals, he has played for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabrill Peppers</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jabrill Ahmad Peppers is an American football safety for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan, and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. A standout athlete early in high school, he was named the Air Force National Sophomore of the Year in 2011. Sports Illustrated named Peppers one of their "Future Game Changers," a group of 14 young athletes who are considered to be the brightest talents of their respective sports. Peppers was named the Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year, Freshman All-American, and a Second-team All-American in 2015. Peppers was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Linebacker of the Year, Return Specialist of the Year, and an unanimous All-American in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Agnew</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jamal Agnew is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He played college football at San Diego. On September 26, 2021, he tied the NFL record for the longest play with a 109 yard return off a missed field goal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarik Black (American football)</span> American football player (born 1998)

Tarik Black is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Michigan and Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Quinn</span> American football player (born 1995)

David Lee "Trey" Quinn III is an American football wide receiver for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at LSU and SMU. Quinn was selected by the Washington Redskins with the final pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him that year's Mr. Irrelevant. He has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, and Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Powell</span> American football player (born 1995)

Brandon Powell is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida. He has been a member of the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and the Los Angeles Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amon-Ra St. Brown</span> German-American football player (born 1999)

Amon-Ra Julian Heru John St. Brown is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC and was drafted by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft. St. Brown was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023, along with being named first-team All-Pro in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Duvernay</span> American football player (born 1997)

Devin Duvernay is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. Duvernay has earned Pro Bowl honors twice and was a First-team All-Pro in 2021 for his play as a return specialist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nico Collins</span> American football player (born 1999)

Dominique Stephon Nicolas "Nico" Collins is an American football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan and was drafted by the Texans in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blake Corum</span> American football player (born 2000)

Blake Nolan Corum is an American football running back for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He was a two-time All-American for the Michigan Wolverines. Corum is the all-time leader for the University of Michigan in rushing touchdowns with 58, including the single season record of 27 rushing touchdowns in 2023, culminating in a national championship. He was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan as a member of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In their seventh year under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the team compiled a 12–2 record, won the Big Ten championship, outscored opponents by a total of 501 to 243, and was ranked No. 3 in the final AP and Coaches Polls. The Wolverines advanced to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, losing to eventual national champion Georgia in the Orange Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daylen Baldwin</span> American football player (born 1997)

Daylen Baldwin is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Morgan State, Jackson State, and Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 2022 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines compiled an overall record of 12–0 in the regular season with a mark of 9–0 in conference play, winning the Big Ten East Division title for the second consecutive season. Michigan beat Purdue in the Big Ten Championship Game to repeat as conference champions. The Wolverines advanced to the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the second straight year, where they lost to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl for the CFP Semifinal on December 31.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayden Reed</span> American football player (born 2000)

Jayden Kevon Reed is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Western Michigan and Michigan State. He was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 2023 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In their ninth and final year under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines compiled an undefeated 15–0 record, outscored opponents by a total of 538 to 156, and won their third consecutive Big Ten championship with a 26–0 victory over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game. They defeated No. 4 Alabama, 27–20 in overtime, in the 2024 Rose Bowl. They then defeated No. 2 Washington, 34–13, in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship to claim their first CFP title and 12th national championship in program history, their first since 1997, and their first consensus national championship since 1948. With their win against Maryland on November 18, the Wolverines became the first program in college football history to reach 1,000 wins.

Maurice Alexander Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected with the 8th pick in the 17th round of the 2022 USFL draft. He played college football at the Florida International University. After college, he went unsigned as an undrafted free agent in the 2020 NFL Draft.

References

  1. ↑ Chengelis, Angelique S. (August 11, 2017). "Harbaugh raves about Michigan freshman receivers". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  2. ↑ Snyder, Mark (April 16, 2017). "Peoples-Jones, Tarik Black flash skills in Michigan's spring game". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Donovan People-Jones". University of Michigan. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  4. ↑ Purcell, Jared (December 15, 2016). "Donovan Peoples-Jones is state's best WR recruit since 2000". Mlive.com . Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  5. ↑ Purcell, Jared (November 22, 2016). "Donovan Peoples-Jones is named Michigan High School Football Player of the Year". Mlive.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  6. ↑ Nelsen, Chris (December 15, 2016). "Cass Tech WR Donovan Peoples-Jones commits to Michigan football". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  7. ↑ Chengelis, Angelique S. (August 30, 2017). "UM's Black, Peoples-Jones 'are going to be unbelievable'". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  8. ↑ Baumgardner, Nick (September 5, 2017). "Michigan's Donovan Peoples-Jones trusting plan, focused on improvement". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  9. ↑ McMann, Aaron (September 6, 2016). "For Michigan's Donovan Peoples-Jones, Step 1 is returning kicks". Mlive.com . Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  10. ↑ Sang, Orion (September 5, 2017). "Peoples-Jones embraces fearless attitude at punt returner". The Michigan Daily . Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  11. ↑ Sipple, George (September 16, 2017). "Michigan's Donovan Peoples-Jones earns props from friends, foes for TD". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Peoples-Jones Named FWAA Freshman All-American". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Donovan Peoples-Jones – Football". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  14. ↑ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (November 27, 2017). "Fourteen Wolverines Earn All-Big Ten Honors on Defense, Special Teams". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  15. ↑ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (November 27, 2017). "Eleven Michigan Players Selected for All-Big Ten Honors on Offense". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  16. ↑ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (December 3, 2019). "Fourteen Wolverines Honored by Big Ten on Defense and Special Teams". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  17. ↑ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (December 4, 2019). "Thirteen Michigan Players Honored by Big Ten on Offense". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  18. ↑ Brown, Brandon (January 4, 2020). "BREAKING: Donovan Peoples-Jones Declares For NFL Draft". Maven. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  19. ↑ Sang, Orion (January 4, 2020). "Michigan's Donovan Peoples-Jones declares for 2020 NFL draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Donovan Peoples-Jones Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan, WR, 2020 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". DraftScout.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  22. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (April 25, 2020). "Browns select Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones with No. 187 pick in 2020 NFL Draft". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Browns sign 2 draft picks". ClevelandBrowns.com. May 20, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  24. ↑ Rapien, James (October 25, 2020). "Baker Mayfield Finds Peoples-Jones For Late Score, Browns Stun Bengals 37–34". SI.com. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans - December 6th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns - December 14th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Browns place 5 on COVID-19 list". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 26, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Browns make roster moves". ClevelandBrowns.com. December 31, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Donovan Peoples-Jones 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns - October 17th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  31. ↑ Edwards, Josh (October 17, 2021). "Donovan Peoples-Jones converts Hail Mary from Baker Mayfield to keep Browns tight with the Cardinals". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Donovan Peoples-Jones 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  33. ↑ Gordon, Grant (December 7, 2022). "Bengals QB Joe Burrow, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts lead Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals - December 11th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Donovan Peoples-Jones 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Lions agree to trade terms with Cleveland Browns for WR Donovan Peoples-Jones". DetroitLions.com. October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Browns trade WR Donovan Peoples-Jones to Lions, acquire 2025 6th-round pick". ClevelandBrowns.com. October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Report: Detroit Lions re-signing Donovan Peoples-Jones". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. March 16, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.