Thomas' record-setting performance earns UA MVP honors
MORE: Thomas breaks down recruitment | UA winners and losers | Full coverage
Coming into an Under Armour All-America Game that featured names like Tee Higgins, Jerry Jeudy and James Robinson at wide receiver, Rivals100 prospect Jeff Thomas wasn’t exactly the odds-on favorite to be the winning team’s MVP.
But after setting the game’s all-time record for receiving yards and wowing the crowd with a pair of remarkable touchdowns, Thomas is officially on the map.
“I just want to show what I can do,” said Thomas, who finished the game with 148 yards and two touchdowns receiving on just three catches. “I feel like I have talent and I’m grateful to be able to have a chance to put in on display on a stage like this.”
After a 44-yard touchdown catch in the first half that saw him weave through the defense and break tackles, Thomas looked like the star of the game. But the show-stopping moment came in the third quarter when Thomas hauled in a pass in the flat and broke tackles before outrunning the defense for a 79-yard score.
“You give him the ball two yards down the field or 80 yards down the field, boy does he make something happen?” Team Armour coach and former NFL lineman Mike Golic said of Thomas. “That was really impressive and we needed it. That score to start the third quarter and that was monstrous for us.”
Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell said he was impressed with what Thomas was able to do in the game, especially considering the talent level on display.
“Thomas was electric, his ability after the catch was impressive and he has an extra gear,” Farrell said. “He was shifty all week in practice but he took it to the next level in the game and should be a terrific weapon out of the slot for some team in college.”
Illinois is Thomas’ current leader and he reaffirmed that fact after the game, but said he thinks he’s in for a wild recruitment between now and National Signing Day.
“Hopefully this helps,” Thomas said. “I think a lot of schools will be in touch with me once they can call again.”
Golic said as a both a coach and a former player, Thomas’ performance on the big stage proves just how special he can be at the next level.
“We always say when the light’s going to shine bright who is going to make that play?” Golic said. “He grabbed the spotlight and he wanted the ball in his hands and he earned that MVP award today.”
Thomas is set to visit Miami, Oregon and Louisville later this month before announcing his decision on National Signing Day.
