'11 MI LB Lawrence Thomas (Michigan State Signee)

[MONTbigBuck]

I would not be a good recruiter, because I would never offer a guy I never talked to before. I would need to get a feel for you as a person before deciding if you are going to be a good representive of the University.

My friend, you are no Mike Garrett. If USC cared about an honorable, classy image with the public the last staff they would have hired would be Lane Kiffin's. I have no doubt that all Kiffin needs to see of an athlete he can see on film. If they bring in some guys that also happen to be good students-citizens then that is a fortunate bonus.

 

[RB07OSU]

Rivals $ - Video: Lawrence Thomas just kills it

Not the most impressive highlight tape production wise or in regards to showcasing Thomas' skills. I'm assuming this was film taken from the space station & Thomas was the biggest, fastest speck moving around on the screen. What can be made out shows a player with some size & burst mostly working from a 2 pt stance as a LB. Too many drag down tackles for my taste though & I'll be shocked if doesn't end up with his hand in the dirt in college...

He puts himself in bad positions sometimes, but it's remarkable how easily he makes up for it. Also, I thought the very fact he was able to close and make some of those types of tackles was also remarkable. He doesn't generally blow through people like a Bell or Klein, but I still think he could be a tackling machine inside, especially with some guidance.

 

[Buckskin86]

Posted: Feb. 12, 2010
Recruiting
Top player for class of 2011 in Michigan is Renaissance's Lawrence Thomas
BY MATT DORSEY
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

The top football prospect in Michigan for the class of 2011 is Detroit Renaissance linebacker Lawrence Thomas. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder has an impressive list of scholarship offers and earlier this week, that list grew when he got offers from Southern Cal and Illinois.

The Trojans and Fighting Illini join a long list of suitors including the Spartans, Wolverines and the defending national champion Crimson Tide. Michigan State verbally offered Thomas almost a year ago and they sent him his written offer the first day allowable by the NCAA. Thomas now has more than 20 written scholarship offers.

Earlier this week, Thomas was selected to the rivals.com preseason top 250 list and he will get serious consideration for five-star status. Many believe Thomas is a better prospect than the last two five-star recruits from Michigan: Detroit Southeastern's William Gholston (MSU) and Detroit Cass Tech's William Campbell (Michigan).

Top player for class of 2011 in Michigan is Renaissance's Lawrence Thomas | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

 

[wadc45]

2011 linebackers

What a beast Lawrence Thomas is. He is huge but very lean at 6-4 and 230. He has a reported 4.6 forty. I don't know whether that is accurate. It is a reported number not one he ran at a camp or combine. I know what I see on film. His game speed is most important and there is no question about that. His read and react, are top drawer. He has the ability that I call "ghost", which is the uncanny ability that some linebackers have to keep themselves clean of blockers. So often blockers are not getting a hand on him. He has only a couple of negatives. He has too many arm tackles and too much drag down tackling. A linebacker has to bring it. If he misses you have a ball carrier in the secondary. The other negative is the size. He is a really big kid and might grow into a DE. If you absolutely must have an LB then this kid gets pushed down the list some. I would not worry about it. I would be all over this kid. The Buckeyes are working hard but Michigan State is the team to beat.

 

[Redhawk]

Michigan State Football Recruiting 2010 - ESPN

ESPNU 150 Watch List ILB Lawrence Thomas (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) told ESPN affiliate Web site SpartanTailgate.com that Michigan State is his leader:

"They are the only team that's really showing me the most interest right now... they are just showing me that they really want me to play for them in the fall of 2011."

 

[wadc45]

Scout $ - Thomas Close to Narrowing List?

2/18

By Trieu...his assistant coach says he is around 25 offers and wants to narrow things to 10 soon...talks about his recent trip to UM...might make visits to ND, Wisconsin and some others...talks to guys like Chris Norman and Dana Dixon almost every day.

Will be shocked if he ends up anyhwere other than MSU...would rather see the focus go to DePriest and Vaughters.

 

[wadc45]

Rivals $

2/19

From the USC site...says he's seen players go out to USC from Michigan and have success...first heard about his USC offer from DeAnthony Arnett...plans to see Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State and USC this summer...his coach says he has gotten by on natural talent so far but this year he is dedicating himself in the weightroom to football...his coach thinks he should stay at LB despite the talk of him growing into a DE.

 

[Smith]

Rivals $ - Motor City tackling machine
February 20, 2010
Matt Dorsey
SpartanMag.com

The author feels Thomas will be a 5 star when the Rivals rankings are released... Thomas knows there's pressure with his status but enjoys & is honored to represent Detroit... He has a high comfort level with the MSU coaches & program... He talks to other recruits & will have no problem recruiting for the school he ends up picking...

 

[wadc45]

Scout $ - SEC Offers Pour in For Thomas

2/23

By Trieu...LSU, Georgia and Tennessee have offered.

 

[Smith]

Rivals $ - Could Tigers strike it rich again in Detroit?
February 25, 2010
William Weathers
TigerBait.com

Thomas is a true national recruit with multiple offers from every BCS conference... Says he's still growing & that's why some are projecting him to move from MLB to DE... He's a fan of good football & he doesn't have any favorites... Distancw won't be a factor but academics will be a big one... LSU has been recruiting longer than anyone & he's seriously considering the Tigers...

 

[Smith]

Scout $ - Offers Pouring In For Thomas
This story originally published on IrishEyes.com
By Jeff Baumhower
Posted Feb 27, 2010

Likes what he's hearing from the Irish so far & has them in his top 10... Wants to visit South Bend but has no plans to yet... One factor in his decision will be the direction of the programs after seeing them perform this upcoming season... His family will have a lot of input in his decision... No leader named, no time table provided...

 

[Smith]

Scout $ - Thomas Having A Tough Time With Recruiting
This story originally published on GoSpartans.net
By Mike Fowler
Posted Mar 1, 2010

All of the attention from schools & recruiting services is getting a little overwhelming... Thomas is fielding at least 5 or 6 calls a day just from services, some as late as 2 AM, & his Mom is even getting calls at her work... MSU is recruiting him the hardest & everytime he goes for a visit, it feels like home... He's thinking about committing before the season but he hasn't decided on time table yet...

 

[bucksn'boobs]

I'm feeling like MSU is about to turn the corner in this conference.

I didn't believe it until I started hearing blue chippers saying these types of things......Will G. was not a fluke.

Scout $ - Thomas Having A Tough Time With Recruiting
This story originally published on GoSpartans.net
By Mike Fowler
Posted Mar 1, 2010

All of the attention from schools & recruiting services is getting a little overwhelming... Thomas is fielding at least 5 or 6 calls a day just from services, some as late as 2 AM, & his Mom is even getting calls at her work... MSU is recruiting him the hardest & everytime he goes for a visit, it feels like home... He's thinking about committing before the season but he hasn't decided on time table yet...

 

[Smith]

Scout $ - Lawrence Thomas talks recruiting
By Sam Webb
GoBlueWolverine.com
Posted Mar 2, 2010

Doesn't have a set time table but doesn't wait til the end either... He & his family are trying to work out visits to OSU in March as well as Florida & Miami during the summer... Has played MLB his whole career & isn't really interested in moving... Still lists MSU as his leader & one of his top priorities will be early PT...

 

[HotMic]

All MSU....just a matter of time.