Donovan Peoples-Jones


Donovan Peoples-Jones, also known as "DPJ", is an American football wide receiver and kick returner for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He played college football at Michigan and was drafted by the Browns in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Early life

Donovan Peoples-Jones was born in Detroit on February 19, 1999 to Roslyn Peoples and Eddie Jones. He 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. On December 15, 2016, he committed to play for the University of Michigan in a nationally televised press conference on ESPN2.

College career

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."
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. 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. 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.
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 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. 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.
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. On January 4, 2020, Peoples-Jones announced he would forego his final season of eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL draft.

College statistics

Professional career

Peoples-Jones was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round with the 187th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Peoples-Jones signed his rookie contract with the Browns on May 20, 2020.