Exit Ambry Thomas
Via Adam Schefter, the last of the great Detroit cats is gone. This was expected given his health history and [gestures at all of it] but guh.
And now Michigan CB Ambry Thomas, one of the country’s top CBs, has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/WPMASj1iHJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 20, 2020
Ambry had a shot at the NFL but chose to return for his senior season in 2020. Now that there's no 2020 he's not going to further jeopardize his NFL career to possibly play in spring, which is completely understandable. He's reportedly already completed his requirements for graduation. Long live Andre Seldon!
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August 20th, 2020 at 8:18 PM ^
Think Ryan Day knew this when he made his hang a 100 on them comment?
August 20th, 2020 at 8:21 PM ^
I'm a bit confused - what is the benefit to guys like Mayfield and Thomas of declaring in August?
Even with the chances of fall season looking slim to none, what do they gain by declaring now instead of waiting?
Is the idea that they'll be in better shape by quiting team practices and focusing on solo workouts to prepare for the combine? What am I missing?
August 20th, 2020 at 8:33 PM ^
No season, but they're still practicing like they might play. So injury avoidance? Only thing I can think of...
August 20th, 2020 at 8:41 PM ^
They can hire an agent and get floated financially before the draft - can work out with professional trainers before the draft and most importantly NOT DO school!
August 20th, 2020 at 8:49 PM ^
These are probably the reasons but seems short sighted to me. I am sure they can handle school obligations and not hurt their families (after all, both planned on playing if there was a fall season). Question is whether leaving school now improves their draft position. Trying to answer that now seems premature
August 20th, 2020 at 9:07 PM ^
His post said he is graduate of the University of Michigan. Lets try not to shit on young men who take school seriously.
August 20th, 2020 at 9:46 PM ^
Better question is why would anyone stay in school if there is no fall season? Excluding education, What is the benefit to staying?
Wouldn’t it be better to sign with an agent, get an advance and train with a singular focus on the NFL
August 21st, 2020 at 3:27 PM ^
Especially since, as the post says, he's completed requirements for graduation.
August 20th, 2020 at 8:27 PM ^
I was excited for his senior season and all, but is he really one of the top CBs in the country? I don't feel like he is...at least not the top 5-10. I'd say top CBs are probably Patrick Surtain, Caleb Farley, Shaun Wade, Elijah Molden, Marco Wilson, etc. Good luck to him though, make that money, produce in the NFL for UM, but don't go all Lewis and talk shit afterwards please.
August 20th, 2020 at 8:34 PM ^
He was better than Lavert Hill last year.
And when/what did Jourdan Lewis ever say?
August 20th, 2020 at 8:31 PM ^
Man, if there was ever a recruiting pitch for a top flight CB to go to M in the next couple cycles...
*points at depth chart*
August 20th, 2020 at 8:40 PM ^
Good night nurse.
August 20th, 2020 at 8:45 PM ^
Just A pitiful move by rhe Big 14. Robbing these kids of football for political gain. No one is getting sick in a stadium let alone dying. Keep walking in the wilderness with your masks on misinformed.
August 21st, 2020 at 6:52 AM ^
The phrase "avoid like the plague" dates all the way back to Saint Jerome of the 4th century AD.
Congrats, America. . . we're literally dumber than folks who predate the Dark Ages.
August 21st, 2020 at 7:57 AM ^
Robbing these kids of football for political gain
Yes, I'm sure that's it. They're trying to score political points by giving up on hundreds of millions of revenue. Obviously just motivated by PR or politics. Surely couldn't be because of legitimate concerns about safety and liability
August 21st, 2020 at 8:51 AM ^
This is a college football conference, not a political party. What "political gain" would be worth the hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue, not to mention the competitive disadvantage in upcoming years against the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 due to transfers and early draft entries? What does the Big Ten even do with "political gain"? The Big Ten and its member institutions have way more to lose from this decision than you, the fans, or even the athletes themselves. But yeah, they definitely did it for "political gain", not safety or liability issues.
August 20th, 2020 at 8:47 PM ^
Good luck.
August 20th, 2020 at 8:52 PM ^
Yeah, I assume Collins is going to announce as well soon. Thomas always felt the most likely to skip a season, and I don't blame him one bit. Good luck to him.
August 20th, 2020 at 9:03 PM ^
Ugh...so when does Nico announce? Ambry and Nico were the two I was most excited to watch this year. This just sucks, not like I didn’t know it wasn’t happening.
August 20th, 2020 at 9:27 PM ^
As I have previously stated in another thread, college football is dead. It is, to this fan of the college game for almost 50 years, meaningless. Greed ( by both the institutions and the players) has destroyed it all. Sad. So very sad.
August 20th, 2020 at 11:42 PM ^
I would like to know how both the institutions AND the players are greedy in this particular instance.
August 20th, 2020 at 9:36 PM ^
Perhaps they first use the Big 10 COVID opt out to retain their scholarship and living expense per diem on a guaranteed basis without needing to attend practice and then double dip by hiring an agent to upfront additional living expense money and training costs after the COVID opt out is accepted by the school.
Pretty shitty deal for the athletic department and donors.
August 20th, 2020 at 9:49 PM ^
Watching all these guys leave before Michigan plays again is going to be painful
August 21st, 2020 at 8:31 AM ^
Which makes me wonder, does Michigan staff and admin know something that OSU doesn't? Why hasn't one of their guys left yet? Are they in denial? Is Day lying to them about having a season?
August 21st, 2020 at 9:48 AM ^
Its already a pretty good deal to be an Ohio State football player, why risk it by leaving and hiring an agent.
August 21st, 2020 at 9:59 AM ^
Program Expectations. For OSU, its a National Championship and worth the risk, but for UM its a 10 win season and a shot at a Big Ten title... hopefully something that turns around soon, but it is what it is right now.
August 20th, 2020 at 9:55 PM ^
sure it sux on many levels, but many NFL draft rated college players will declare rather than playing spring ball - so wish these young men all the best at the next level...and in life
that is all
August 20th, 2020 at 10:39 PM ^
Have any Ohio State players declared?
August 20th, 2020 at 11:35 PM ^
No because Justin Fields got a buncha online signatures and they’re going to be playing games again soon and some dad is protesting at BIG offices and whitmer cancelled the season because a 12 year old on Twitter said that, Remember?
August 21st, 2020 at 8:26 AM ^
Best of luck to him and glad we at least got one season of him starting.
Next man up!
August 21st, 2020 at 9:41 AM ^
Hats off to Ambry for coming back from his illness last year and having a solid season. Sad to see him go, but that was an impressive feat I will always remember him for.
August 21st, 2020 at 9:49 AM ^
The end of the Harbaugh era is going to look ugly isn't it.
August 21st, 2020 at 10:01 AM ^
I try to stay positive, but I can’t lie: This one hurts
August 21st, 2020 at 11:41 AM ^
There is no season this year and I doubt we are playing Spring ball to turnaround and play Fall ball. If there is a Spring ball why would anyone who is a guarantee draft pick play?? Train and impress at combine. Makes sense for these kids to commit to the draft and Im sure they are getting Harbaugh etc. best advice.
August 22nd, 2020 at 1:59 PM ^
I agree. So the underlying question to everything is, "who will benefit the most and who will be hurt the most" if the bottom line is that this year's season just doesn't get played?
You have to think that OSU would be in the best shape. For them, their redshirt junior five star that leaves early will be replaced by a redshirt freshman five star. I also think that a program like Northwestern with high character, non-NFL players and a very good coach will prosper relatively when play resumes.
I think the jury is still out for us. Although this exodus is startling, we do have some good talent to fall back on in the lower part of our depth chart. Plus we have recruited high character kids who I hope will stay focused and keep working. And, as for me, I still have enormous faith in Jim Harbaugh as an excellent Xs and Os and teaching techniques coach.
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