Michael Thomas '19 Recruiting Profile

As I begin my final high school football season, I am excited about achieving success both as a team and individually in a new offensive position, slot receiver.   What I am most excited about, however, is continuing my football career as a player at the collegiate level.  Now, a four-year Varsity-level player (3 years as a two-way starter), I have experienced the highs and lows of playing football.  My first year our team achieved a lot of success in terms of wins with an 8-1 season and then in my next two seasons due to changing players, coaches and my own injury during my sophomore season I endured challenges, overcame them, and helped rebuild a varsity football program that had not won a football game since my Freshman year, for my school that is in position to achieve many accomplishments in my upcoming senior season.  A character building journey for sure, but one where I learned about my inner strength and determination along the way - attributes I believe will bring any collegiate team value added contribution both as a teammate and leader. 

After competing for and winning the starting quarterback position to start my 10th grade season, complementing my role as a starting defensive player, I was set to begin my Sophomore season ready to accomplish many personal and team goals that I hoped would highlight my player profile to college programs across the country.  Unfortunately, a third of the way through my season I suffered a season ending injury.  After overcoming a long recovery which through hard work I shortened considerably and returned a much stronger athlete, I was able to reclaim my starting roles on offense and defense to start my junior year.  Our team was certainly in rebuilding mode and while not reflective in wins, I helped lead a team to competitive play against each opponent, earned the respect of my teammates and coaches for my work ethic, passion to play, will to win and skill displayed while being asked to serve in six different roles depending on my team’s needs on offense, defense or special teams.   In fact, I played what is referred to as “iron man” football, playing every snap and not ever leaving the field.  While physically and mentally exhausting, my commitment to conditioning, nutrition and will to succeed, helped me overcome these challenges and made me excel.  My team needed me on the field and I was not going to let them down!  The positives of being asked to contribute in several different roles is that I am able to refine my skill set, develop into a versatile athlete that can contribute right away to any team.  While not the prototype collegiate football player in terms of size, I have learned to overcome my physical size constraints with speed, technique and determination.  My training coaches can attest to my skill and commitment to improve, but most of all if afforded the opportunity to join a collegiate program I am confident no team would be disappointed with their investment in me.

I believe I am worthwhile of consideration for many reasons.  I am a versatile athlete than possesses a high football I.Q., so learning a new offensive or defensive scheme would not be a problem for me.  Second, my athletic ability can make an immediate impact to any program.  Third, I am a leader who does not shy away from rebuilding or working tirelessly to improve season to season.  Finally, as an individual my character is strong and I will make a positive contribution to the team and to the campus community, never in position to disappoint the coaches, my teammates or the University with my personal choices or behavior.

Academically, I acknowledge that I have not reached my full potential and while I have strived to survive a highly rigorous curriculum in a college preparatory high school, my teachers and guidance college counselor will share that I have shown definitive flashes of academic excellence that convinces them of my ability to succeed in any university classroom.  I realize that I need an academic environment that allows me to mature as a student and that allows me to pursue academic interests that are challenging and engaging in my eventual chosen field of study.  I realize that as a student-athlete I need to continue to mature and while overcoming tough challenges during my initial years in high school is no excuse for not excelling each year academically, I have now learned to balance the demands of being a student and athlete and am well prepared to realize my full potential in both areas in my senior year providing me important momentum for college life.  Keep in mind that my school has one of the most challenging academic curriculums in my state and that rigor has also prepared me skills wise for any academic environment.  

Athletically, I have had the privilege to receive mentorship, coaching and guidance from a strong group of individuals.  My long-time position coach and mentor, Ty Detmer, has been highly instrumental in my development both as a player and individual.  Coach Detmer has directly coached me from  middle school to my second year of high school.  My strength and conditioning coach, Jessica Vaiana, has works with NCAA - Division I Football players and exposed me to the same level of training and competition sharing workouts with players such as the current starting Texas quarterback, Sam Ehlinger, and linebacker, Levi Jones, for USC.  Finally, my current position coach, Jaxon Shipley, can attest to abilities transitioning to a slot receiver and multi-position athlete having also played football in a similar position for Texas.  Having exposure and training from all these individuals has helped me become a high level player, capable of succeeding in collegiate football and more importantly a strong person with character ready for university life.

In closing, I know every football program across the country may not be the ideal fit for me, but I am positive I can contribute positively to any program if provided the opportunity to demonstrate my ability.  I simply need the chance to prove the type of athlete and person I have become so far with the excitement of so much upside waiting for a University beginning next fall!