The Wolverine

2020 Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1265378

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 105 of 163

104 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY CHRIS BALAS W hen the clock ran out on the 2020 season following a Cit‑ rus Bowl loss to Alabama, a stunned group of Michigan se‑ niors left the field in their uniforms for the last time realizing they would never wear the winged helmet again. Some, like safety Josh Metellus, tried to explain what went wrong in a 35‑16 loss to Alabama in which the Wolverines let a 16‑14 halftime lead get away; others just walked to the bus in silence knowing they would never get the opportunity to move on and atone for the setback. Then came Ambry Thomas, facing the cam‑ era with a look of resolve and determination, perhaps even a bit of anger. The junior corner‑ back knew plenty about perseverance. Only six months earlier, the Detroit native was told he may never play again after suffering a bout of colitis in which he lost 30 pounds. Starting June 10, he spent three weeks in bed, depressed and hurting while listening to doctors tell him he might not play football in 2019. But he never lost his resolve. It only made him hungrier to play the game he loved; it also made losses harder to take. He had worked his way back from below 160 pounds to 190‑plus, starting with workouts with his dad and brother at the local health club. He'd start the season opener against Middle Ten‑ nessee State against all odds, even notching an interception and a fumble recovery, and he wasn't about to accept losses. CURTAIN CURTAIN CALL CALL Ambry Thomas Returned To Help Lead Michigan To A Title Thomas was tabbed as a Pro Football Focus first-team Midseason All-American at flex defender after a stellar first six games in 2019. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - 2020 Football Preview