Elite juco WR lines up two trips

When Rivals.com ranks the top junior college players in the nation next week, expect Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College stud receiver Devin Thomas to be somewhere near the top.

Through seven games, Thomas has 23 receptions for 441 yards and three scores – not bad when you consider that Coffeyville has rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a team this season.

"My strengths are that I'm pretty physical with the D-backs," Thomas, who is 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, said. "I like to be pretty physical, I run good routes, and I've got good speed. I've got good hands and good hand-eye coordination."

All those things add up to a big-time list of schools recruiting him. He said he's mainly focused on four teams – Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan State and Arkansas.

"I've been talking to Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan State, and Arkansas lately," Thomas said. "That's basically it right now. I haven't been able to go on any visits yet. Hopefully I can take all five visits eventually so I have a variety of schools to choose from. I would like to start hearing from some more teams."

Speaking of visits, Thomas said he's lined up a visit with Arkansas on November 4 and Kansas State on November 18. He's not sure when he'll visit the other schools on his list.

"I'll hopefully know where I'm going before (mid-term) signing day," he said. "I'll be done with school in December and ready to start spring practice with whoever I choose, so hopefully I can have a decision made some time in early December or something."

Thomas said he has a few things that will be important for him.

"The main thing I'm looking at is playing time," he said. "I'm looking for a place where I would fit in with some playing time. Also, the system they run. I want to go to a passing school. I'd like to go somewhere to a school with either a young up-and-coming quarterback or a veteran quarterback who has proven himself. I'd also like to go somewhere with a prestigious program and a good coach."

Thomas redshirted in 2004 for the Red Ravens and will have three years to play three on the next level.