Thomas the Tank
July 27, 2007 03:16 PM | General
July 27, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As a true freshman last August, J.T. Thomas made quite an impression on the West Virginia coaching staff. After just three weeks of practice the coaches declared that the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native would play as a backup to starting outside linebacker Kevin McLee.
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| JT Thomas is looking to make an impact on the Mountaineer defense this fall at will linebacker.
Pete Emerson photo |
Defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel marveled at how quickly Thomas learned the defense in a very short time last summer.
“He has caught on probably quicker here in our scheme than we’ve had any freshman come here in the four years or so that we’ve been running the defense,” Casteel said.
However nothing in football is guaranteed. While Thomas had the ability to make an impact as a true freshman, and would likely have helped a deep group of linebackers last season, a lingering ankle sprain forced him to redshirt in 2006.
Despite his obvious disappointment Thomas made the most of his situation, winning the 2006 Danny Van Etten Award as the scout team player of the year on defense. He was also named scout team champion against Cincinnati.
Now, with about a week left until the start of fall camp, Thomas’ health is at 100 percent and the second generation Mountaineer linebacker is poised to make an even bigger impact in 2007.
“Being redshirted last year has made me hungrier. I can’t wait for camp to start. You work so hard in the summer you kind of can’t wait to use your new powers,” Thomas said.
While Coach Rich Rodriguez will not release a depth chart until the week of the season opener against Western Michigan, many believe that Thomas is the top candidate to replace McLee at the will linebacker spot in West Virginia’s 3-3-5 defense. Thomas hasn’t given that much thought, choosing instead to focus on things he can control.
“I don’t like to speculate on what’s going to happen. I just want to get through training camp, work hard, and help the team the best way I can,” Thomas said. “Whether it’s in a starting role or a backup or on special teams, I’m ready to do whatever I can.”
With the benefit of hindsight, Thomas believes that redshirting last season may have actually been a blessing in disguise for his long-term development.
“Last summer … I thought I did … but I really had no idea what was going on. Over spring and this summer I feel like I have learned so much,” Thomas admitted. “I have a feel for the defense now. I know where my help is and I know where I’m supposed to be.”
Despite the loss of veterans Jay Henry and McLee from the linebacking corps, Thomas marvels at the depth at the position heading into fall camp. At the will linebacker alone, the Mountaineers boast Thomas, Ovid Gouldbourne and junior college transfer Archie Simms, with Mortty Ivy also capable of manning the position.
“Even our third team guys are really good. We’re deep at every position. We’ve got guys that can play all three positions,” Thomas said. “It’s going to be a really fun training camp because it’s going to be really competitive.”
That competition has become a staple of the West Virginia program. Every position is up for grabs every day in practice and complacency is the best way to land a spot on the bench. Thomas explains.
“It’s great. You tend to play harder when someone is pushing you. You know you have to go out and prove yourself every day,” Thomas said. “It’s nice to go into a game knowing that the guy that is behind me is going to play just as hard as I am.”
The quickness with which Thomas has picked up the Mountaineer defense is made even more remarkable by the inherent complexities in the 3-3-5 scheme.
“It’s pretty hard -- harder than most defenses. Most defenses let you almost just freelance. In the 3-3-5 you have gap responsibilities,” Thomas said. “You have to also be ready to help out and roll over the top and know when to do certain things. Different formations also give you different responsibilities.”
Thomas says the learning curve was decreased signifigantly last year with veterans Henry and McLee around to help him out.
“I’m glad I came along when I did because I learned a lot from Boo McLee and Jay Henry,” Thomas said. “Jay Henry was a student of the game and Boo McLee was one of the hardest working players I have ever seen.”
Thomas admits it was frustrating to watch the defense struggle towards the end of last season. One of his goals this year is to help change the perception that the defense is the team’s weak link.
“I’m eager to help this defense. We’ve always been the bend-but-don’t-break defense but I’m eager to try and help change things,” Thomas said. “Keilein (Dykes) and all the other guys have that same mindset and I just think this year we want to work toward being the strength of our team.”
Thomas’ strength is his speed and athletic ability -- two traits that make him perfect for the will spot which is reserved for the fastest linebacker and is often the linebacker that blitzes the most.
“The will is the speed guy. You might even be asked to play a little man on man on the slot receiver every now and then. You have to be willing to do a lot of things whether it’s dropping into the flats or blitzing,” Thomas mentioned.
Look for Thomas to be doing a lot of both in a Mountaineer uniform this fall.
