JT Thomas of West Virginia ~ 6.2/225
"An above-average athlete who likes to fly around the football field and can close quickly on ball carriers. Exhibits good straight-line speed and range in pursuit and does a nice job breaking down into contact and can wrap up on the play. Looks comfortable when asked to extend his arms and keep himself clean inside, has the lateral agility to side step blockers and quickly make his way toward the football once he reads his run keys. However, his instincts are a bit inconsistent as he can be slow to decipher information and locate the football. Will run himself out of plays trying to make his way up the field and can be sealed from the play inside trying to run around blocks.
Nevertheless, he fights like a dog to spin off linemen and disengage back toward the football, and has a motor that never stops. Possesses natural fluidity in his hips and good range when asked to turn and run. Gets a deep drop into coverage and has the ability to be physical off the line vs. the tight and cleanly reroute in man. Can keep his eyes in the backfield and jump routes in zone, but again isn’t the most instinctive locating the football and will make some bad reads and lose track of his man trying to jump a route he thinks he sees.
Impression: He has a passion for the game, is a pretty good athlete and loves to fly around the field. Isn’t the most instinctive of guys and lacks ideal power at the point, but works hard and has a shot to play some special teams and make a roster as a reserve outside backer."
Nevertheless, he fights like a dog to spin off linemen and disengage back toward the football, and has a motor that never stops. Possesses natural fluidity in his hips and good range when asked to turn and run. Gets a deep drop into coverage and has the ability to be physical off the line vs. the tight and cleanly reroute in man. Can keep his eyes in the backfield and jump routes in zone, but again isn’t the most instinctive locating the football and will make some bad reads and lose track of his man trying to jump a route he thinks he sees.
Impression: He has a passion for the game, is a pretty good athlete and loves to fly around the field. Isn’t the most instinctive of guys and lacks ideal power at the point, but works hard and has a shot to play some special teams and make a roster as a reserve outside backer."
"Bio: Three-year starter awarded all-Conference honors the past two seasons. Senior totals included 73/7/2.5 after 76 tackles as a junior.
Positive: Undersized, one-gap linebacker best in pursuit. Fluid changing direction, can chase down the action from the back side, and has terrific sideline-to-sideline range. Covers a lot of area on the field, displays a burst to the play, and easily redirects to ball carriers.
Negative: Marginally instinctive and bites on play-action passes. Lacks bulk and gets swallowed up by blocks.
Analysis: Thomas has been a productive linebacker on the college level since his sophomore season. He projects as a backup weak side linebacker and special teams player for the next level."
Positive: Undersized, one-gap linebacker best in pursuit. Fluid changing direction, can chase down the action from the back side, and has terrific sideline-to-sideline range. Covers a lot of area on the field, displays a burst to the play, and easily redirects to ball carriers.
Negative: Marginally instinctive and bites on play-action passes. Lacks bulk and gets swallowed up by blocks.
Analysis: Thomas has been a productive linebacker on the college level since his sophomore season. He projects as a backup weak side linebacker and special teams player for the next level."
"Positives: Is very athletic and has above-average speed... Is a very hard worker with passion for the game, good character guy to have in the locker room... Could make a very good nickel linebacker in the NFL, has good coverage skills, especially in short zone coverage, has the speed to stay with TEs and backs in man coverage... Is a pretty sure tackler, wraps up well and typically does not miss a lot of tackles... Durability was not a concern in college, but frame may be a small cause for concern at the next level... Generally takes good angles in pursuit, has a high motor, does not give up on plays... Has good flexibility and fluidity in several facets of the game, has good range in run support and coverage.
Negatives: Does not disengage from blocks very well, can avoid bigger blockers in space, but typically does not stack and shed well... Instincts are just average at best, will get caught out of position, susceptible to misdirection plays at times... Does not have a large arsenal of pass-rushing moves, but has enough explosiveness to get to the quarterback in space... Not an extremely versatile linebacker at this point, will be most effective when dropping into coverage."
Negatives: Does not disengage from blocks very well, can avoid bigger blockers in space, but typically does not stack and shed well... Instincts are just average at best, will get caught out of position, susceptible to misdirection plays at times... Does not have a large arsenal of pass-rushing moves, but has enough explosiveness to get to the quarterback in space... Not an extremely versatile linebacker at this point, will be most effective when dropping into coverage."
"Linebacker J.T. Thomas is an undersized one-gap linebacker best in pursuit. He shows the ability to go sideline-to-sideline but is really only effective as a chase and run linebacker that needs a free shot at the ball carrier."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on JT Thomas
JT Thomas is a Late Round Roster Depth Guy, but a Full Bore SCRAPPER who we'll all be rooting for!!
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As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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