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Matthew Thomas highlights

PUNCICANE

PUNCICANE

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[video]http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:7940796[/video]

this kids short area quickness is ridiculous
 
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Off the top of my head, here's how I'd rank the state of Florida's defensive prospects (coming out of high school) in the last 5 years:

1. Matthew Thomas
2. Corey Lemonier
3. Haha Clinton-Dix
4. Tim Jernigan
5. Christian Jones
6. Aaron Lynch
7. Matt Elam
8. Artie Burns
9. Dante Fowler
10. Karlos Williams

Tracy Howard, PJ Williams and a few others could be argued in. I also almost undoubtedly forgot a few guys. I'd need to go back to a database to see all the names.

But, the point is...

That's how good I think Matthew Thomas is as a prospect. Hope he develops his upper body and is taught to use his hands. If he puts those together, he's a future top 12 pick in the NFL draft. Anyway, let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Get him on campus first and foremost.

*Gonna start a separate thread so as to not hijack this one.
 
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LuCane said:
Off the top of my head, here's how I'd rank the state of Florida's defensive prospects (coming out of high school) in the last 5 years:

1. Matthew Thomas
2. Corey Lemonier
3. Haha Clinton-Dix
4. Tim Jernigan
5. Christian Jones
6. Aaron Lynch
7. Matt Elam
8. Artie Burns
9. Dante Fowler
10. Karlos Williams

Tracy Howard, PJ Williams and a few others could be argued in. I also almost undoubtedly forgot a few guys. I'd need to go back to a database to see all the names.

But, the point is...

That's how good I think Matthew Thomas is as a prospect. Hope he develops his upper body and is taught to use his hands. If he puts those together, he's a future top 12 pick in the NFL draft. Anyway, let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Get him on campus first and foremost.
Click to expand...

The DT the went to USC last year was up there too. And I think Elams gonna be a star in the league
 
PUNCICANE said:
LuCane said:
Off the top of my head, here's how I'd rank the state of Florida's defensive prospects (coming out of high school) in the last 5 years:

1. Matthew Thomas
2. Corey Lemonier
3. Haha Clinton-Dix
4. Tim Jernigan
5. Christian Jones
6. Aaron Lynch
7. Matt Elam
8. Artie Burns
9. Dante Fowler
10. Karlos Williams

Tracy Howard, PJ Williams and a few others could be argued in. I also almost undoubtedly forgot a few guys. I'd need to go back to a database to see all the names.

But, the point is...

That's how good I think Matthew Thomas is as a prospect. Hope he develops his upper body and is taught to use his hands. If he puts those together, he's a future top 12 pick in the NFL draft. Anyway, let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Get him on campus first and foremost.
Click to expand...

The DT the went to USC last year was up there too. And I think Elams gonna be a star in the league
Click to expand...

He was a DE prospect, but you're absolutely right. Loved Leonard Williams. Guy's a future NFL 1st rounder if he keeps it together. I bumped Fowler out and placed him in his spot. I'm sure I'll remember more names as I look at actual databases.
 
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That´s his junior stuff. Here are the senior highlights, kid has really improved as a hitter:

[video=youtube;GAUwYAihA2Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAUwYAihA2Y[/video]
 
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i pray that our DLine will keep the OLine off of the 2nd level this year and let our LBS run free....Thomas will benefit greatly - how strong is he? not too many people getting their hands on him in these videos -- is he just that quick?
 
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This kid is a baller,he will be a top 10 nfl draft pick. I thought Cory Lemonier came off the line,this kid has the goods. It would be like getting duke on defense,this kid is a program changer!
 
I love when I am watching defensive highlights and you dont even need the little arrow to point out who you are looking for. Dude just jumps off the screen.
 
mapcane said:
Crazy burst and athleticism. But how is he at reading and reacting, shedding blocks, etc?
Click to expand...

He's a beast....you saw it all in that one play at the UA game where he lit up the RB. Reacted, slipped the block and exploded.
 
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mapcane said:
Crazy burst and athleticism. But how is he at reading and reacting, shedding blocks, etc?
Click to expand...

He's outstanding at read and react.
He's average at shedding blocks and overall using his hands. He's so **** quick in tight spaces that he's accustomed to getting by without needing to use his freakish wingspan to its full potential. He mainly slips blocks, which is ok, too. But, he'll need the other dimension because I see him over the TE early on. Don't see why that'd be a problem to develop. The guy has to have a wingspan of like 6' 8". He just needs to develop his body. The craziest thing about him is that he's scratching the surface.
 
All he needs is time in the weight room. A lot of time in the weight room.

Scary part is he has the frame to add a ton of weight and he will actually get more explosive the more work he puts in, I have zero doubts.
 
He has so much potential that I really think he can be used all over. I wouldn't even be shocked to see him start off at WILL as a freshman and shift over to SAM and a more flexible role as his body develops and he adds weight.

He has the fluidity and coverage ability to play the WILL and I think he would benefit from the DL protection. Will probably be about 6'3 220 this fall IMO
 
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What are people thinking about how often he would line up with his hand in the dirt? Assuming he's a Cane of course.
 
Boston_Cane said:
What are people thinking about how often he would line up with his hand in the dirt? Assuming he's a Cane of course.
Click to expand...

I'm not even joking when I say if he really wanted to I think he could be a DE. He has that much room to grow.

It's going to be tough for him to see the field immediately though depending on how he responds to training/diet. He has the talent but taking on FB's and TE's at the college level is going to be tough for a kid his size.
 
JHallCanes said:
Boston_Cane said:
What are people thinking about how often he would line up with his hand in the dirt? Assuming he's a Cane of course.
Click to expand...

I'm not even joking when I say if he really wanted to I think he could be a DE. He has that much room to grow.

It's going to be tough for him to see the field immediately though depending on how he responds to training/diet. He has the talent but taking on FB's and TE's at the college level is going to be tough for a kid his size.
Click to expand...

Watching these tapes this morning has inspired a similar line of thinking in my mind also. Among everything else, I was very impressed with his jumping ability, knocking down passes from the DE position when he doesn't get to the QB. The instinct to do so is nearly as vital in disrupting the passing game as QB hurries and sacks.
 
Good to hear.

BTW, did this video remind anyone of Willie Williams' old videos, where he was always coming off the edge as a DE and murdering offenses? Man, really reminded me of WW.


LuCane said:
mapcane said:
Crazy burst and athleticism. But how is he at reading and reacting, shedding blocks, etc?
Click to expand...

He's outstanding at read and react.
He's average at shedding blocks and overall using his hands. He's so **** quick in tight spaces that he's accustomed to getting by without needing to use his freakish wingspan to its full potential. He mainly slips blocks, which is ok, too. But, he'll need the other dimension because I see him over the TE early on. Don't see why that'd be a problem to develop. The guy has to have a wingspan of like 6' 8". He just needs to develop his body. The craziest thing about him is that he's scratching the surface.
Click to expand...
 
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