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This post has nothing to do with his recruitment, but more on him as a player.
We have discussed at length the type of talent he is, but I want to address something else. I was talking to somebody today who told me that certain "experts" out there who saw him at practice said that he is too small to be able to play right away. While he needs to and will add weight for college, that statement is so far from true. People who are making these assumptions based on seeing them in one practice are ridiculous. If they are saying that, then I can almost guarantee they've never watched him in a game.
I've had the chance to see Thomas play live against top Dade County competition 5-6 times over the past 2 years and to say he can't contribute early is ludicrous. He was the best player on the field every time I saw him and it wasn't even close. While he might be lacking a little something strength-wise right now, that's not what makes him the special player he is. He will never be a 250-lb linebacker because that's just not his game, but people need to realize that he's just a different breed. His explosiveness and wiry strength along with his ability to drop into coverage and also read-and-react is so advanced for somebody at the high school level, that he will be able to translate a lot of that to the next level right away no matter how much he weighs.
I see him playing next season at about 220 and that will be enough to make a big impact. I keep harping on this, but his versatility is flat out scary. I remember people saying Duke was not ready physically and he was too small, but legitimately special players make up for a lack of whatever they're missing and they make plays. Thomas is on that Duke-level of special.
Before these people make assessments based off of one practice, they might want to head to Traz Powell on a Friday night to see players in an actual game.
We have discussed at length the type of talent he is, but I want to address something else. I was talking to somebody today who told me that certain "experts" out there who saw him at practice said that he is too small to be able to play right away. While he needs to and will add weight for college, that statement is so far from true. People who are making these assumptions based on seeing them in one practice are ridiculous. If they are saying that, then I can almost guarantee they've never watched him in a game.
I've had the chance to see Thomas play live against top Dade County competition 5-6 times over the past 2 years and to say he can't contribute early is ludicrous. He was the best player on the field every time I saw him and it wasn't even close. While he might be lacking a little something strength-wise right now, that's not what makes him the special player he is. He will never be a 250-lb linebacker because that's just not his game, but people need to realize that he's just a different breed. His explosiveness and wiry strength along with his ability to drop into coverage and also read-and-react is so advanced for somebody at the high school level, that he will be able to translate a lot of that to the next level right away no matter how much he weighs.
I see him playing next season at about 220 and that will be enough to make a big impact. I keep harping on this, but his versatility is flat out scary. I remember people saying Duke was not ready physically and he was too small, but legitimately special players make up for a lack of whatever they're missing and they make plays. Thomas is on that Duke-level of special.
Before these people make assessments based off of one practice, they might want to head to Traz Powell on a Friday night to see players in an actual game.