After dreaming of playing together in high school, cousin Jaylen Kelly Powell joined Thomas at Michigan to be teammates on the Wolverines squad. "We've been playing with each other all our life," Thomas said of Powell. "In Little League, we played Detroit Dolphins together. We were supposed to play at the same high school together, which was (Martin Luther) King, but he went to Cass (Technical). Every time I play him I act like I don't know him."
Won two state championships at Martin Luther King (Detroit, MI) HS, which he and his teammates cite as honoring his late high school coach, Dale Harvel
Golden Nuggets
After dreaming of playing together in high school, cousin Jaylen Kelly Powell joined Thomas at Michigan to be teammates on the Wolverines squad. "We've been playing with each other all our life," Thomas said of Powell. "In Little League, we played Detroit Dolphins together. We were supposed to play at the same high school together, which was (Martin Luther) King, but he went to Cass (Technical). Every time I play him I act like I don't know him."
Won two state championships at Martin Luther King (Detroit, MI) HS, which he and his teammates cite as honoring his late high school coach, Dale Harvel.
Goldmine
In April of 2022, Thomas joined Muslims of the World and Mercy-USA in flying thousands of miles to a small village in Somalilands, Somalia, where villagers had no access to water.Food and water in the area are very scare as Somalilands had not seen rain in nine months, leaving the land arid and it's people thirsty. Thomas met with children of the village,
distributed clean water to the villagers and even offered to match any donation of the suggested $50 a month through a social media post. "The situation is heartbreaking, but just $50 could spark a change," said Thomas, who saw the visit as the perfect way to kick off Ramadan. Thomas' efforts online paid off, as he was able to reach over 10,000 supporters to the Somaliland Water Relief campaign who raised over $500,000 within a week of the first post.
In June of 2019, Thomas was diagnosed with colitis. He quickly lost 35 pounds and was told he would not be able to play. Thomas dedicated himself to his return throughout a 34-day hospital stay. Thomas became a leader on his team and took charge in every way he could. "I don't know how he did it," former Michigan defen- sive coordinator Don Brown said. "I really don't. He's a special guy, now. Some guys would have missed a lot of time. Not this guy. He didn't miss a thing. That was the thing — I would walk off shaking my head: 'I can't believe this guy is functioning as well as he is. But that's who he is."
His defensive coordinator wasn't the only coach who was im- pressed with Ambry's determination. "One thing that really stands out, looking back on it, was Ambry's attitude, his positive attitude, his attention to detail in terms of doing everything the doctors told him," Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Right down to the rest, the diet, the fluids he was taking in. He was so mature with the attitude that he had."
College
Appeared in 39 (13 starts) games in four years (2017-20) at Michigan and recorded 54 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 9 PDs, 5 FRs, 4 INTs and 1 FF. Also added 39 KORs for 808 yds. (20.7
avg.) on special teams. Elected to opt-out of the 2020 season. As a junior in 2019, started all 13 games and registered 38 tackles, 7 PDs, 3.0 TFLs, 3 INTs and 2 FRs. On special teams,
recorded 19 KORs for 412 yds. (21.7 avg.). Appeared n all 13 games as a sophomore in 2018, and recorded 9 tackles, 2 PDs, 1 INT and 1 FR. Appeared in all 13 games as a freshman in 2017 and registered 7 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 FRs and 1 FF along with 20 KORs for 396 yds. (19.8 avg.) on special teams.
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