Jabrill Peppers is leaving Michigan to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Peppers earned the reputation as one of the elite players in college football in 2016 after switching from defensive back to a hybrid safety/linebacker.

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Peppers said. “I’m choosing between cementing my legacy as a college player and starting my pro legacy. It’s something you dream of when you were a kid. I was torn between the two.”

Peppers informed Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh of his decision in a meeting in Harbaugh’s office on Monday.

“He thanked me and told me it was a pleasure to coach me,” Peppers said. “I told him it was a pleasure to play for him. He molded me for the next level, that’s how he operates. He runs his program like an NFL team. He’s done more than enough to prepare me for this moment.”