SM East attracts college recruiters

Advancing to the state regional playoffs is starting to become a common thing for Shawnee Mission East. Since John Stonner has taken over the Lancer program has been making the post-season is a constant stop.

With that success comes the development of good players and college recruiters are starting to take notice some of the talent at East. At one time college coaches never had East on the radar, but that is all changing.

For the 2008 recruiting season the Lancers could have one of the top prospects in the state in Terrance Thomas.

This year Thomas arrived on the recruiting scene during the track season. In the regional track meet he turned in a 10.4 time and then went on the next week to win the 6A state title.

According to Track and Field News.com Thomas recorded the fourth fatest, wind-aided 100m time in the nation.

"All of the coaches talk about his speed," said John Stonner, the Lancers head coach. "He ran a 4.37 the other day. He's a quality young man and a hard worker."

Thomas earned playing time on the varsity as a freshman and lettered. As a sophomore he missed much of the season recovering from a knee injury. He made it back for the Lancers last two games including a regional playoff match-up.

It is obvious his knee is back to full strength after winning the state title in the 100m. Stonner said Missouri, Kansas, and Kansas State have already shown some type of interest in him although they haven't been able to recruit him since he's going into his junior year.

"I think right now I think his best position in college could be as a corner," Stonner said. "When he's a senior he could be our starting tailback also. He's one of those kids you just find a way to get the ball in his hands."

The one player that Stonner thinks will make a college recruiter happy one day is Bobby Miller. The 6-foot-3, 180 pound, two-way starter has a lot of upside according to Stonner.

"He has incredible hands and his height helps him go up and get passes," Stonner said. "He just makes plays. I think he's going to be one of those kids that will develop into a starter for three years on the division one level."

Miller played tight end and free safety as a junior and will do the same this year. He has already attracted interest from Kansas State, Colorado State, Kansas, and Missouri. Stonner said several schools send mail. Last year he caught 16 passes for 272 yards and recorded 37 tackles and four interceptions from his safety spot.

"If I was a college coach I would look at him as a tight end or safety," Stonner said. "I think he could develop into a good H-back. Right now his best position in college might be safety, but I think down the right tight end."

Stonner said the coaches at Kansas State have already told them they like Miller on film. The Kansas State coaches will get a chance to see him up close this weekend when Miller attends the Wildcats camp. After that he will attend a camp at Colorado State. Stonner, a former player at Kansas State, will also help at the Wildcats camp.