cowboyjoe
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 28,433
- Reaction score
- 753
Where Is The Love? Arizona WR Mike Thomas
by Cecil Lammey on 03/11/09
Each year there are players that are overlooked and undervalued in the scouting process. In our new feature “Where Is The Love?” we take a look at players that may be second day picks, but if given the opportunity they could perform like first rounders.
Mike Thomas - WR - Arizona
5’8” - 195 lbs.
Background/Statistics
De Soto High School had a run oriented offense, and thus Mike Thomas didn’t compile huge stats as a prep WR. His senior year he had a mere 15 receptions for 205 yards, but he also contributed with 26 carries for 333 yards. Although the offense he played in limited his productivity, Thomas earned the respect of his coaches and teammates and was a 4 year letterman in football. He also lettered in track and basketball while in high school and was named to several prep All Star Teams. Because of his tremendous athletic ability he was considered a top 50 WR in the state of Texas, and displayed his considerable talent in the 2005 Army All-American Bowl.
Thomas contributed immediately in his first year on the Wildcats football team, and earned 2nd team Freshman All-America Honors. He became Arizona’s first league offensive player of the year, and was named Pac-10 co-freshman of the year. He nearly broke the century mark in receiving yards versus Utah in his first game (92 yards) and when he finally beat that mark he exploded for a 4 catch 162 yards and 1 TD game against Oregon State. He even played as a decoy in the final game of the year with a cast on his injured hand. His second season didn’t go as smoothly for Thomas as he saw a slight decline in his receptions, yardage, and TDs. In 2007, Arizona’s first year running the spread, he really hit the big time. Thomas led the Pac-10 in catches (83) and TD receptions (11) while racking up an amazing 1,826 all-purpose yards. Mike had 4 games with 10 or more receptions, including a 10 catch, 165 yard, 3 TD performance against Washington. His final year at Arizona did not live up to his junior year, although Thomas did finish as the Pac-10’s and Arizona’s all time leader in receptions (259) surpassing the record set by Bobby Wade (230).
Scouting Report
Mike Thomas is a tough receiver who is not afraid to go over the middle of the defense and take big hits. While not the biggest wideout on the field, he can be very effective as a slot receiver where putting him in motion will help him beat the jam at the line of scrimmage. Once into his route he can disguise where he’s going with precise body control and fantastic footwork. When the ball is secured he knows how to quickly turn upfield, looking for oncoming defenders with a keen eye. A savvy route runner, his greatest asset shows up when the ball is in his hands. Thomas turns into a RB after the catch, and is extremely elusive in the open field. It’s this skill set that can especially help him as a return man at the next level.
We were able to see him from the sidelines at the 2009 Shrine Game practices in Houston and he stood out along with fellow WRs Deon Butler, and Jarett Dillard. The next week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl he was an injury replacement, and I was curious to see if he could excel there as well. In years past we’ve seen players like Paul Williams dominate in Houston, and then blend in once they are in Mobile. Against better defensive competition, Mike Thomas continued to make plays and showed why he deserves more attention from the national media. Mike continued his hot streak with a strong showing at the scouting combine in Indianapolis where he ran a 4.4 40 yard dash, which ranked 5th best among all the WRs there.
The Bottom Line
Currently Thomas is seen as an early 2nd day pick, and many think he will be drafted somewhere in the 3rd round. When I watched Mike Thomas in person for 2 weeks, and when I put on game tape from his Wildcat career, there is one player that I find myself comparing him to - Carolina’s Steve Smith. Like Smith (a 3rd round pick out of Utah in 2001), Thomas is tough, fearless over the middle, and can be used effectively in the return game. It’s a big comparison to live up to, but I believe that Mike Thomas is more than ready for the task.
by Cecil Lammey on 03/11/09
Each year there are players that are overlooked and undervalued in the scouting process. In our new feature “Where Is The Love?” we take a look at players that may be second day picks, but if given the opportunity they could perform like first rounders.
Mike Thomas - WR - Arizona
5’8” - 195 lbs.
Background/Statistics
De Soto High School had a run oriented offense, and thus Mike Thomas didn’t compile huge stats as a prep WR. His senior year he had a mere 15 receptions for 205 yards, but he also contributed with 26 carries for 333 yards. Although the offense he played in limited his productivity, Thomas earned the respect of his coaches and teammates and was a 4 year letterman in football. He also lettered in track and basketball while in high school and was named to several prep All Star Teams. Because of his tremendous athletic ability he was considered a top 50 WR in the state of Texas, and displayed his considerable talent in the 2005 Army All-American Bowl.
Thomas contributed immediately in his first year on the Wildcats football team, and earned 2nd team Freshman All-America Honors. He became Arizona’s first league offensive player of the year, and was named Pac-10 co-freshman of the year. He nearly broke the century mark in receiving yards versus Utah in his first game (92 yards) and when he finally beat that mark he exploded for a 4 catch 162 yards and 1 TD game against Oregon State. He even played as a decoy in the final game of the year with a cast on his injured hand. His second season didn’t go as smoothly for Thomas as he saw a slight decline in his receptions, yardage, and TDs. In 2007, Arizona’s first year running the spread, he really hit the big time. Thomas led the Pac-10 in catches (83) and TD receptions (11) while racking up an amazing 1,826 all-purpose yards. Mike had 4 games with 10 or more receptions, including a 10 catch, 165 yard, 3 TD performance against Washington. His final year at Arizona did not live up to his junior year, although Thomas did finish as the Pac-10’s and Arizona’s all time leader in receptions (259) surpassing the record set by Bobby Wade (230).
Scouting Report
Mike Thomas is a tough receiver who is not afraid to go over the middle of the defense and take big hits. While not the biggest wideout on the field, he can be very effective as a slot receiver where putting him in motion will help him beat the jam at the line of scrimmage. Once into his route he can disguise where he’s going with precise body control and fantastic footwork. When the ball is secured he knows how to quickly turn upfield, looking for oncoming defenders with a keen eye. A savvy route runner, his greatest asset shows up when the ball is in his hands. Thomas turns into a RB after the catch, and is extremely elusive in the open field. It’s this skill set that can especially help him as a return man at the next level.
We were able to see him from the sidelines at the 2009 Shrine Game practices in Houston and he stood out along with fellow WRs Deon Butler, and Jarett Dillard. The next week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl he was an injury replacement, and I was curious to see if he could excel there as well. In years past we’ve seen players like Paul Williams dominate in Houston, and then blend in once they are in Mobile. Against better defensive competition, Mike Thomas continued to make plays and showed why he deserves more attention from the national media. Mike continued his hot streak with a strong showing at the scouting combine in Indianapolis where he ran a 4.4 40 yard dash, which ranked 5th best among all the WRs there.
The Bottom Line
Currently Thomas is seen as an early 2nd day pick, and many think he will be drafted somewhere in the 3rd round. When I watched Mike Thomas in person for 2 weeks, and when I put on game tape from his Wildcat career, there is one player that I find myself comparing him to - Carolina’s Steve Smith. Like Smith (a 3rd round pick out of Utah in 2001), Thomas is tough, fearless over the middle, and can be used effectively in the return game. It’s a big comparison to live up to, but I believe that Mike Thomas is more than ready for the task.
