Michigan Football: QB Thomas Friberg offers upside as preferred walk-on

Michigan football added preferred walk-on Thomas Friberg at quarterback Sunday and after a bunch of Big Ten rivals wanted him, he’s a good get.

It was a big weekend for Michigan football and preferred walk-ons. The Wolverines have added at least six and the latest is Thomas Friberg, a dual-threat quarterback from the 2019 class.

While Friberg certainly isn’t a big-name recruit, in fact, he doesn’t even have a star rating by 247 sports, landing the quarterback, who played his high school football in State College, has to be a satisfying thought for Michigan football fans, especially because both Penn State and Ohio State wanted him.

Walk-on players don’t always make headlines, but there are legit prospects that will head to a school as a preferred walk-on instead of taking a scholarship and that’s the case here. However, what makes the case of Friberg a little more interesting is that Michigan football was far from the only Big Ten school that was trying to get him as a preferred walk-on.

Penn State made the same offer to Friberg back on Jan. 15. Ohio State was also interested in extending the same offer as head coach Ryan Day wanted Friberg to visit and come aboard as a preferred walk-on, which he will now do for the Wolverines.

Getting a kid that Ohio State had an interest in is always good and what makes it even sweeter is that he was literally in Penn State’s back yard. Yet, James Franklin still couldn’t get him.

It appears, according to a local newspaper, the Centre Daily Times, who interviewed Friberg, that the quarterback had a very good relationship with the coaching staff. He visited Ann Arbor over the weekend and met head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Here’s what Friberg told the newspaper:

"“I fell in love with Michigan. I loved the feel. I loved the tradition of Michigan. I love the school itself. It’s really competitive academically. And I could just see myself there.”"

Obviously, whether Friberg came to Michigan football or if he chose Penn State or Ohio State, he was going to have work to do. At Michigan, Shea Patterson, Dylan McCaffrey, Joe Milton, Brandon Peters and soon enough, Cade McNamara are all on the depth chart, as well as some other walk-ons.

So that’s a big hill to climb. However, he was highly productive in the football-rich state of Pennsylvania. Last season, he demonstrated his skills by completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,031 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also ran 392 yards on 85 carries (4.6 avg) and added two rushing scores.

The biggest negative with Friberg is the 15 interceptions he threw last season, a number provided by 247 sports. Yet, when you watch his highlights, it’s easy to see why so many Big Ten schools, Michigan included, were interested.

Friberg is every bit of 6-foot-5. But he’s also athletic and shows a nice ability to throw on the run. Down the field, he shows a nice touch on deep balls, however, can also throw with some zip when needed. His throwing motion is a little funky, but that’s something that can be ironed out.

Overall, it’s a nice get for Michigan football. Friberg was going to be a preferred walk-on somewhere in the Big Ten and as a guy with some upside, it’s good that he will see what he’s got the Wolverines.