Michigan’s had a few special athletes play both ways, and another might be on the way. Freshman cornerback Ambry Thomas is starting to find the swag he played with in high school, and he could soon be a two — make that three — way player.
He’s already returning kicks, and he’s now working out with the offense in addition to cornerback.
“When I first came I’m thinking, ‘it’s college … everyone’s going to be good,’ so I decided to take a step down,” he said. “But I realized you really can’t do that. You’ve got to be that dawg that you’ve always been. Now I’m really getting everything back. I’ve been touching the field a little bit more, and that’s great.”
Offensive line coach Greg Frey approached him about the possibility of playing offense after seeing him return a few kicks.
“We’ve got a little something,” he said. “We’re working on something right now, but I can’t really say … they’ve seen what I can do with the ball in my hands on kick return, tryint to make something happen. I'm trying to go both ways. I’m a playmaker, like the ball in my hands. I feel like I can help this team no matter where I’m at on the field.”
That includes kick return, where he’s already shown flashes. He’s come close to breaking a few, a block away in a few games.
He got his feet wet at Purdue, and though his first return wasn’t his best, it was an important first step.
“When they first put me in, I was scared,” he admitted. “I put it in my head that no matter what, no matter how far they kick it, I’m going to take it out and get a feel for it. I got to the 13- or the 15-yard-line and I thought they were going to throw me out of the rotation after that.
“Next game I got back there at Michigan State, I did something big. I thought, ‘I’ve got to keep this spot. I like this.’ Every game I get closer and closer. But we’re going to get one. I like going fast. I feel like my speed is untouchable no matter where I go in this country. I want to showcase my ability.”
It’s not nerves anymore, but excitement.
“For sure, I'm ready to score. I put in my head every time, I’m going to score,” he said.
With the No. 1 on his back, he understands there’s a high standard. He’s heard from Braylon Edwards (‘he talks trash’) and Devin Funchess, who have both worn it before him, and though he tried to go back to No. 13, head coach Jim Harbaugh told him he was No. 1 for good.
Thomas thinks it’s for a reason.
“I think it’s a message from God,” he said. “I’ve got to hold myself to that high level.”
He appears to be on his way.
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