Peppers later transferred to Paramus Catholic High School, where he played a key role in leading the football team—the Paladins—to state championships in both his junior and senior years. His outstanding performances at both high schools marked him as one of the top football recruits in the country.

College Career at the University of Michigan

Peppers continued his football career at the University of Michigan, where he played under head coach Jim Harbaugh beginning in the 2015 season—Peppers' sophomore year. During his time at Michigan, Peppers played multiple positions, including safety, linebacker, and return specialist, showcasing his athletic versatility and football intelligence.

In 2015, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media for his defensive play. Coaches also named him to the second-team All-Big Ten for special teams. Peppers' accolades increased in the 2016 season when he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Linebacker of the Year, and Return Specialist of the Year. He was also recognized as a Unanimous All-American, a prestigious honor awarded to players who are selected as first-team All-Americans by all five official selectors recognized by the NCAA.