Ambry Thomas can't wait. He can't wait to find out what the NFL has to throw at him. The former Michigan cornerback did not play in 2020 and is itching to get back onto the football field.
Last week, the San Francisco 49ers made Thomas a third-round draft pick. He was the first defender selected by the team in this year's draft. Ambry appeared in 12 games as a junior in 2019, recording 38 tackles, three tackles for a loss, three interceptions, and three passes defensed. He joined 95.7 The Game on Thursday morning to share what he brings to the 49ers defense and how he labels his style of play.
"I'm a straight man corner, honestly," Thomas said on the Morning Roast. "... I'm going to get in your face, and I'm going to challenge you at the line of scrimmage."
Thomas is somewhat familiar with the NFC West. He has the Madden NFL video game franchise to thank for that. Although, admittedly, he almost always plays as the Arizona Cardinals, mostly due to Kyler Murray. Soon, he may be charged with breaking up the rival quarterback's passes.
Thomas lit up when wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins' name was brought up. While some might stress over the challenge of going against the three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Thomas cannot wait.
"I'm excited for that opportunity," Thomas explained. "I live for moments like that, to get thrown in the fire. That's when I perform my best, honestly. If you ask anyone who knows me, that's when they'll say I perform my best, when I'm in those big moments."
Being a young NFL player looking to prove yourself usually means you have to put in work on special teams. Thomas has experience returning kicks. He returned 39 for 808 yards during his first two seasons with the Wolverines and welcomes the opportunity to do so at the professional level.
"I just like the ball in my hands," Thomas said. "I feel like when the ball's in my hands, and I'm moving fast, everything is going slow in front of me. It's kind of weird. I get to see things -- I don't know how to explain it, but when I'm going as fast as I go, it's like my eyes feel like (they) see it slowly, and it's just fun to make moves on guys and challenge myself to score, honestly, because that's what I'm doing every time. I'm challenging myself to score."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Thomas below.