All-state DB is headed to the WAC

Duarte (Calif.) defensive back Jermaine Thomas was expected to take an official visit this weekend to Washington State. The talented cornerback decided to cancel the visit after making a commitment elsewhere two weeks ago.

Thomas, 5-11, 170 pounds is one of the state’s top two-way performers and was recently named 1st team all-state by CalHiSports.com. The athlete finished the year with 50 catches for 1,114 yards and 14 touchdowns and 27 carries for 347 yards (12.8 ave.) and two touchdowns.

Defensively, he had 51 tackles and eight interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns plus three punt returns for touchdowns, one kickoff return for a score and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

On the recruiting front, Thomas took an official visit to Fresno State back on (Dec. 8). The athlete loved the visit, so much in fact, that he decided to commit to the Bulldogs two weeks ago.

“I was planning on taking all my trips but the more I thought about it, the more I realized Fresno State was the perfect place for me,” Thomas said. “I had a great trip and my family was really comfortable with the idea of me going to Fresno State.

“The school is close to home, they like Coach Hill as well as the academic support there. I did a lot of research on the school and realized that Fresno State has a very strong football tradition and has put a lot of schools in to the League (NFL.)

“I was also impressed with the coaches, especially Coach Hill and academically, I liked the graduation rate of the players. After I committed, I was still planning to visit Washington State this weekend but Fresno State was just recruiting me so hard, visited me at the school and showed me how bad they wanted me that I decided to cancel all my visits. I’m a solid commitment and will not take any other trips.”

In addition to FSU and The Cougars, Thomas also had offers from Nebraska, Kansas, Utah, UNLV and Nevada.