I think the other thing that makes me so excited about this (possibly) is we basically would be going into USC's backyard and stealing their (arguably) top commit in this highly ranked class of theirs. This dude has been a solid SC Commit since May
a much better video of him.. just ignore the err.. nickname [video=youtube;5hq1BrWdEeg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hq1BrWdEeg[/video]
a little more perspective here.. Jonathan Stewart was the 10th overall Rivals 100 player when the Ducks got him. http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Jonathan-Stewart-19444 Ngata was higher than Thomas as the #2 overall get in his day. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Haloti-Ngata-2033
all those highlights are from the same game. The compilation highlight reel I've seen has him scoring on most every play STOMP
Thomas reminds me a little bit of DeSean Jackson. I wonder how his hands are, and if a move to WR/KR would utilize him the best if he signs. I don't really like tiny CBs, and RB is so loaded that a small guy like Thomas may not get many touches for a few years.
Man... we have so many athletes at that position though... how are we going to find touches for all those guys? It's a problem you love to have, but it's still a problem.
The two most common comparisons I read last night for Thomas were DeSean Jackson and a little more so than Jackson was Jahvid Best... not bad company at all. His instintcs at the DB just stood out to me for some reason. Kinda like Cliff Harris' instincts. And he weighs about the same as Cliff. At least as a high schooler, not sure what Cliff is at now.
SC has the same issue, so I wonder if Thomas sees an opportunity at WR? Dillon Baxter barely got on the field for USC last year. Seastrunk, LMJ, Barner, Dontae Williams, Huff at times, and now Thomas? How soon until either Lache or Dontae transfer?
Goodness I love love LOVE Signing Week and Signing Day! I caught this little quote at the end of the O-Live mention... interesting. http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2011/01/oregon_ducks_rundown_15.html
From what I have been reading it would seem Thomas isnt big enough to handle a huge workload.. I could see him playing both ways but mostly on Defense.
And that's why I wanted LMJ to go pro. I love having him around, but we needed those minutes for other guys I think. Start Barner and bring Seastrunk off the bench.
Still think you are crazy. Barner is not an everydown back. I see more and more of him in splitting time in the backfield and also lining up in the backfield then motioning to the slot.
My question is will the Ducks be recruiting a bruising FB and a large target Tight End for 3rd and 6 type of yardage? I hope so!!!
Doubt it.. not much playing time for a FB in the spread, maybe a walk on or something? Last year They got Curtis White who could be a TE, and Redshirted. This year they possibilities are Christian French, and Colt Lyerla so far unless I am missing someone.
So... how legit does Thomas coming to the Ducks seem? I can't tell from the links above (although I might have missed something; sorry). And when is LOI signing day? Sorry for being a n00b. Ed O.
LOI day is the 2nd Thomas seems to have loved his visit according to other sites and also according to those sites he switched to Oregon. If nothing else he is teetering
LOI day is always the first Wednesday in February. Also one of my least productive days of work all year. To top it off I'm leaving to Disneyland and Cali Wednesday night after work so I'll be extra useless at work that day I cant say how legit him coming here is, but there sure seems to be a lot of smoke to be checked out. I hope its true. As it would def show a switching of power to the North.
Reminds me of a Michael Fletcher, Keenan Howry. Those two were fantastic. Howry was a ruthless punt returner. I hadn't seen anyone previous, or since - take so many interference calls. He would bait the defenders into his space by being a few yards back before the punt came down, then contact would be made as he went to catch the football. Smart player. Nice to have the option of CB, WR and special teams in a player.
