RECRUITING STORYLINE

Derrick’s verbal makes it 3 for the Lions this week. At this point, if we don’t pace ourselves we could be filled before the 2008 season ends.

Derrick Thomas played both ways his junior year with 11 receiving touchdowns and 3 interceptions on defense. Penn State is giving him the option to pick at this point and with 3 defensive backs already in this 2009 class, it would be in his and our best interest to have him fill a wideout spot sorely needed for this class.

Thomas was a first team all-4A Prince George’s County selection as a wide receiver, and was named all-Met in 2007. He averaged 20 yards per catch as a junior, and hauled in 11 touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns, and had three interceptions on defense.

Recruited by assistant coach Larry Johnson, Derrick talks about his relationship with Penn State’s coaches:

“I looked at their roster a couple of times and I thought I have a real good chance at playing because they’re losing defensive backs and wide receivers and they’re recruiting me on both sides of the ball,” Thomas said, “I really like Larry Johnson. We really go along well and had a good relationship.

Word is that he was already considering verballing to the Lions on his way to State College for this past weekends’ NIKE Football Training Camp. Actually visiting the campus sealed the deal for him.

“Being up there it felt kind of right. I could see myself practicing on the field we were competing on,” Thomas said. “I was looking around in the weight room and it looked nice. I really liked it.”

COLLEGE CHOICES	INTEREST	OFFER	VISIT	RECRUITED BY
Penn State (solid verbal)	COMMITTED (5/12/2008)		None
Pittsburgh	None		None
Rutgers	None		None
Virginia Tech	None		None
Connecticut	None		None
Illinois	None		None	Mike Locksley
Louisville	None		None
Maryland	None		None	James Franklin
North Carolina	None		None

Derrick Thomas

Boy what a great week for Penn State recruiting. Not only did we receive verbals from a highly sought after cornerback, and safety Stephen Obeng-Agyapong, Ohio State actually lost a recruit in the process. But Thomas is actually from Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Remember the last high profile wide receiver from that very school who played for Penn State? Our very own speedster, Derrick Williams.

Thomas not only further established the high school and town as a pipeline for Penn State, but greatly improves our chances of landing fellow cornerback teammate Stephon Morris who currently holds offers from Penn State, Illinois and Louisville. Morris also attended the State College NIKE Camp this past weekend and Thomas’ verbal only helps us with Morris as well.

But about Thomas himself. With 4.49 speed, he’s not the burner we are now blessed with at Penn State, but he has great hands and vision. He averages 20 yards a catch. 20 yards! Even if he does not develop into Penn State’s go-to receiver, he will provide Penn State with options in the passing game as well as the return game. Lets not forget this athlete has returned 2 kickoffs and 2 punts for touchdowns during his junior season.

With the impeding graduation of Williams, Butler and Norwood after this season, we are desperately in need of wide receivers. Like Justin King, Derrick Thomas will have the opportunity to see the field early in his collegiate career and once we are more established at the wideout spot, he will most likely be moved into the defensive back position following in the footsteps of the late Justin King.

Releated Posts:

1. Position Profile: Defensive Backs
2. A Look Inside: The Paternoville Tent
3. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Wide Receivers
4. Spring Position Profile: Defensive Backs
5. The Penn State All-Decade Team: Cornerbacks

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