jcollingsworth
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Mike Thomas: Ohio State’s Budding Superstar
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mike Thomas, born and raised in Los Angeles, is a Buckeye.
Thank God!
In Mike’s senior year at Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, he led the State with 86 receptions, 21 TD’s, and 1,656 yards.
He committed to The Ohio State University. Which as Buckeye Nation we should admittedly be confused but ultimately grateful. Why not USC? UCLA? Oregon? Even Cal?
Ssshhhh! Mike Thomas is a Buckeye. Let us enjoy the witness of wide receiving greatness.
As a redshirted Junior Mike’s numbers in 2012 & 2014 are 57 receptions, 821 yards, and 9 TD’s.
In 2015:
VA Tech: 2 receptions, 46 yards with 1 TD – his longest being 26 yards.
Hawaii: 5 receptions, 52 yards, 0 TD’s – longest being 19 yards.
Northern Illinois University: 3 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD, longest being 25 yards.
Western *ichigan University: 6 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD, longest being 38 yards.
Mike’s size, 6’3” for a receiver is perfect. His leaping abilities are reminisce of some other great receivers in Buckeyes history (David Boston, Cris Carter, (and dare I?) Paul Warfield).
The fact that the Buckeye’s offense has yet proven themselves, though last weeks performance against an over-matched WMU was a start, Mike’s dependability as a major playmaker as the top receiver on a receiver depleted OSU team, and one of the top receiving names in the Nation, is a credit to this young man’s abilities that should never be ignored. If I were a defensive coordinator of any team that will be soon be playing the Buckeyes – I would concentrate hard on Mike Thomas. He will beat you – and do so in your face.
The memory of last year’s Championship game with his dragging foot in the end-zone for six is one of the purest “great” catches that I have ever witnessed. I have seen the likes of Warfield, Carter, Biletnikoff, and (here I go again) Keyshawn.
This past weekend when the Buckeyes beat the Broncos of Western *ichigan when Mike caught his pass, made a move, and went into the end-zone for 6 I jumped and applauded. My wife on the other hand, a Brooklyn girl, went ballistic. She reminded me of our brief encounter with Mike on their run for the Championship. We traveled from NYC to Columbus for the Kent State game. Even though it was a lopsided victory for the Buckeyes (66-0) it was indeed my favorite game I attended ever (I have seen Archie, Schleicher, Carter, and George), this though was my wife and son’s first Buckeye game ever. In this game Mike caught only 2 passes, but it would be for a total of 77 yards with 2 TD’s.
After the game we strolled around the stadium as I was swimming in days long gone and my wife and son listened to my stories. We came up to the gate where the players were coming out. A crowd stood seeking autographs. A young tall kid strolled out quietly, almost unnoticed, with a demeanor of total confidence, though a pleasant humility. My wife looked over at me and said go get his autograph … “I see the making of a pro. He’s going to be a star – soon too!” So off I went to get his autograph with a seat cushion and no pen. A young boy got to him before me. The player squatted to sign his program. I asked to borrow the kids pen, which he granted. The young tall player signed my cushion (red) with a red sharpy. It isn’t the most noticeable autograph unless you really look (and hard). It proudly says Mike Thomas #3.
My wife and my son are big fans. I am too. Mike Thomas, regardless of his numbers this year is a budding superstar.
Fans often look at players for the moment. NFL Scouts look at potential. Mike possesses both – the moment and potential. Allow me to go out on a limb (though I personally do not think it is such a grab) Mike will be taken in the NFL draft in the 1st round. Let’s just hope it’s with the Bengals.
The post Mike Thomas: Ohio State’s Budding Superstar appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mike Thomas, born and raised in Los Angeles, is a Buckeye.
Thank God!
In Mike’s senior year at Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, he led the State with 86 receptions, 21 TD’s, and 1,656 yards.
He committed to The Ohio State University. Which as Buckeye Nation we should admittedly be confused but ultimately grateful. Why not USC? UCLA? Oregon? Even Cal?
Ssshhhh! Mike Thomas is a Buckeye. Let us enjoy the witness of wide receiving greatness.
As a redshirted Junior Mike’s numbers in 2012 & 2014 are 57 receptions, 821 yards, and 9 TD’s.
In 2015:
VA Tech: 2 receptions, 46 yards with 1 TD – his longest being 26 yards.
Hawaii: 5 receptions, 52 yards, 0 TD’s – longest being 19 yards.
Northern Illinois University: 3 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD, longest being 25 yards.
Western *ichigan University: 6 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD, longest being 38 yards.
Mike’s size, 6’3” for a receiver is perfect. His leaping abilities are reminisce of some other great receivers in Buckeyes history (David Boston, Cris Carter, (and dare I?) Paul Warfield).
The fact that the Buckeye’s offense has yet proven themselves, though last weeks performance against an over-matched WMU was a start, Mike’s dependability as a major playmaker as the top receiver on a receiver depleted OSU team, and one of the top receiving names in the Nation, is a credit to this young man’s abilities that should never be ignored. If I were a defensive coordinator of any team that will be soon be playing the Buckeyes – I would concentrate hard on Mike Thomas. He will beat you – and do so in your face.
The memory of last year’s Championship game with his dragging foot in the end-zone for six is one of the purest “great” catches that I have ever witnessed. I have seen the likes of Warfield, Carter, Biletnikoff, and (here I go again) Keyshawn.
This past weekend when the Buckeyes beat the Broncos of Western *ichigan when Mike caught his pass, made a move, and went into the end-zone for 6 I jumped and applauded. My wife on the other hand, a Brooklyn girl, went ballistic. She reminded me of our brief encounter with Mike on their run for the Championship. We traveled from NYC to Columbus for the Kent State game. Even though it was a lopsided victory for the Buckeyes (66-0) it was indeed my favorite game I attended ever (I have seen Archie, Schleicher, Carter, and George), this though was my wife and son’s first Buckeye game ever. In this game Mike caught only 2 passes, but it would be for a total of 77 yards with 2 TD’s.
After the game we strolled around the stadium as I was swimming in days long gone and my wife and son listened to my stories. We came up to the gate where the players were coming out. A crowd stood seeking autographs. A young tall kid strolled out quietly, almost unnoticed, with a demeanor of total confidence, though a pleasant humility. My wife looked over at me and said go get his autograph … “I see the making of a pro. He’s going to be a star – soon too!” So off I went to get his autograph with a seat cushion and no pen. A young boy got to him before me. The player squatted to sign his program. I asked to borrow the kids pen, which he granted. The young tall player signed my cushion (red) with a red sharpy. It isn’t the most noticeable autograph unless you really look (and hard). It proudly says Mike Thomas #3.
My wife and my son are big fans. I am too. Mike Thomas, regardless of his numbers this year is a budding superstar.
Fans often look at players for the moment. NFL Scouts look at potential. Mike possesses both – the moment and potential. Allow me to go out on a limb (though I personally do not think it is such a grab) Mike will be taken in the NFL draft in the 1st round. Let’s just hope it’s with the Bengals.
The post Mike Thomas: Ohio State’s Budding Superstar appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...