Michigan Football: Ambry Thomas makes PFF list of top Big Ten returners
Michigan football had just one player on the Pro Football Focus list of top returning players in the Big Ten and that’s Ambry Thomas.
For those that are hoping that Michigan football can finally break the trend and beat Ohio State in 2020, the Pro Football Focus list of top returners in the Big Ten may not paint a pretty picture.
Just one Michigan football player made the list and that’s cornerback Ambry Thomas, who will be a senior next season. Last year was his first time as a full-time starter and he’s a quality player, but it shows the Wolverines don’t have the firepower coming back that Ohio State does.
Of course, Justin Fields, the Buckeyes quarterback, was the top player on the list and the Heisman finalist should be. After all, he is probably the preseason favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, as well as a likely early selection in the 2021 NFL draft.
Two other Buckeyes also made the list. The first was wide receiver Chris Olave, who caught two touchdowns against Michigan as a freshman and then went for more than 800 yards receiving a year ago. The other Ohio State player that made the list was guard Wyatt Davis.
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Minnesota was actually second behind the Buckeyes with two players on the list in quarterback Tanner Morgan and wide receiver Rashod Bateman. Michigan football didn’t play the Gophers in 2019, but they won’t be so lucky this season and will travel to Minneapolis in what should be a battle this season.
Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue and Indiana each joined the Wolverines in having one player on the list. On the whole, it might be worrisome, but the thing about Pro Football Focus is that its analytics don’t always match up with reality.
A couple of years back, their numbers said that Lavert Hill and David Long were among the best cover corners in the nation. But against Ohio State and other talented pass offenses, they couldn’t hold up.
Numbers and stats are great, but there is a reason people talk about the eye test and I don’t think anyone would say that Ambry Thomas is Michigan football’s most talented player. Hell, I don’t think I’d put him in the top-three on defense.
Daxton Hill is a guy that I’d take over him. Cameron McGrone and Aidan Hutchinson may be more impactful players too. Offensively, Nico Collins and Zach Charbonnet are some guys that come to mind.
The bigger point is that Ohio State still seems to have the edge on talent, but if some other guys finally let their talent take shape, that could mabye start to change.