Michigan Football: 5 freshmen who'll make instant impact in 2017

Michigan Football: 5 freshmen who’ll make instant impact in 2017

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 01: Michigan Wolverines head football coach leads his team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Wisconsin 14-7. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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There was a fierce in-state battle for four-star cornerback Ambry Thomas in 2017 and some even believed that Michigan State was the favorite. He seemed to be seriously considering both the Spartans and Wolverines until the very end, but he chose to sign with Michigan.

While he almost surely would have been pegged as an immediate starter at Michigan State, he picked the Wolverines and took on the challenge of vying for playing time with other four-star studs. The Detroit-native is talented enough to become a starter in a thinned out secondary.

When I say thinned out, I don’t mean there’s no talent, but the depth definitely took a hit with the departures of Channing Stribling and Jourdan Lewis. Two new starters must emerge and many believe it will be Lavert Hill and David Long, but don’t sleep on Thomas.

This kid was one of the top cornerbacks in the entire 2017 class and the Wolverines knew what kind of star-in-the-making they got when he committed. He’s been showing flashes of greatness in practice, but he will prove his worth during the early games.

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