The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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he said. "Not that I did the last three years, but this is my last season so there is no room for error. "I have to be way more consistent. Everyone is telling me to play my game and I just have to do that all the time, not just sometimes." Like Stribling, the 6-2, 195-pound Thomas was a spot starter in 2015, though his best football came in No- vember, not September. He is ener- gized about the role he is expected to occupy this season. "I'm very excited," said Thomas, who had an interception and three tackles in Michigan's spring game. "I was talk- ing to Delano Hill and a few guys that we came in with, especially the guys that came in early, and it was like, 'Can you believe we're seniors?' "We're excited to get out there for our senior year. We're hoping to win it all. This is my last go-around and if I make the NFL then I'm blessed, but if I don't then this is my last year and I have the make the most of it. "But time flies. It has felt super fast." It has felt fast because Thomas hasn't played much, lingering in the back- ground without making a significant impact, recording just seven tackles as a freshman, largely on special teams, and 27 stops in 2014. He finally saw extensive action de- fensively in 2015, starting four games, registering 24 tackles and breaking up seven passes as a free safety for the Wolverines. "You stay patient and wait for your time to come," said Thomas, who ad- mitted his career has gone much dif- ferently than he expected. "After two years, I thought I would play a lot, but I wasn't upset. I still had a lot of special teams time, which was fun because it's great being around the guys. "But the last year has really been a blast. You really have fun when you're out there with your friends playing in the game, out in our stadium in front of our fans." With safety Jarrod Wilson departed, Thomas will lead the secondary this season, along with classmates Hill, Lewis, Stribling and Clark. There is no shortage of experience in the defensive backfield, but Thomas is taking it upon himself to be the vocal presence. "My dad was in the Marines so he was a leader and growing up he always told me to be a leader not a follower, so I've always liked to lead," Thomas said. "I'm not saying I am the leader, but it is the safety's job to make the right checks and the right calls, so me and Delano are excited about that because it's up to us." Thomas played cornerback, nickel back and even linebacker his first two seasons before settling in at safety. It took him a while to adjust but when he started playing more, he flourished — he recorded 15 tackles and broke up four passes in Michigan's final five games. That success fueled his confidence heading into the offseason and has him poised to be a major contributor. "Towards the end of junior year, once I started making plays, I felt comfort- able, trusted my abilities and felt like I could do this," he said. — Michael Spath