Thomas, a 6-2, 310-pound nose tackle from Muskogee High in Okla., has committed to Kansas State, the fifth Wildcats’ pledge for the Class of 2009.
He battled a deep thigh bruise last season, but remained on the field. He held no other offers, but Thomas said Tuesday by phone that Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Purdue were “talking to me.”
“He didn’t want to wait,” said Muskogee coach Matt Hennesy, who lettered at K-State as a linebacker in 1989.
Thomas, who said he modeled his game after recent NFL retiree Warren Sapp, insisted he was a good fit in K-State’s defensive scheme. He also said he was a “pretty good student,” with a 2.8 GPA. Asked if he would qualify to play immediately next year, he said, “Yes, sir.”
According to Rivals.com, Thomas is a three-star recruit.
Here’s the scoop from ESPN’s Scouts, Inc.:
“Thomas is a good sized defender that can be disruptive in the trenches. He is a straight ahead guy, but can be a handful between the tackles. He has a solid get-off, but needs to be more consistent. Will flash the ability to fire out of his stance, shoot his hands, and separate from a blocker. He does a good job of using his hands and being able to hold his ground. In obvious run situations he will tend to fire out with his head down. He has good short lateral movement. He has a good motor for a big guy and is a physical kid. He adequate speed and very adequate short-area change-of-direction skills. He is at his best with the play coming his way. He is a solid tackler. Displays some savvy as a pass rusher. Displays the power to get into a blocker and create some push to collapse the pocket. He also has a pass rush move he is comfortable with and good at. He will club and swim by a blocker and will flash the ability to take a jab step and counter and can get good pressure with this move. Thomas is a productive presence in the trenches. He is at his best between the tackles, but can be solid pressuring the quarterback and defending the inside run.”