Devin Thomas and the NFL

I remember being called a moron back in December for saying Devin Thomas should enter the NFL Draft if his stock is deemed high enough to be drafted in the first two rounds (In case you missed it, check out the post here).

Well, it looks like Devin is going to be selected even higher than I guessed and may be the first receiver taken overall, likely by the Buffalo Bills with the 12th pick in this weekend's NFL Draft (Read the story here). Thomas and former Spartan-killer Lee Evans sure would make a pretty tough receiving tandem.

So congrats to Devin Thomas for making the right decision and following it through with strong performances at the NFL Combine and MSU's Pro Day.

The Spartans have been represented in the NFL by several great receivers. In my opinion, Thomas will prove himself worthy of joining that list. But then again, maybe I'm just a moron.

Comments

[Cleavesrules]

I was on that wagon from day one: All of my friends were saying Manningham was the best receiver in the BT and I was just dumbfounded that they kept overlooking DT. The dude runs harder than anyone I have seen at MSU and I have been a season ticket holder for over 12 years. Not that there aren't ballers out there who ran harder, just none that I can recall. He also has incredible vision and can find the smallest of cracks to run through. He should be awesome if he can keep his nose clean and stay out of trouble. (not that I think he is a bad guy, just that a lot of money for a young guy is a recipe for trouble in many cases)

[Matt]

I was one of the morons.

[King Kong Bundy]

Please, not the Lions.

[DoctorWorm]

I couldn't help but notice the first response on there by "Hondo". Good God. I feel like I need to wash my eyes with paint thinner to get rid of the image of that mangling of the English language.

I just wish he could've stayed one more year. That would've been an incredible offensive threat, with Ringer in the backfield and Thomas downfield. Now I think Dell or White, or even Rucker 1 and Rucker 2 will have to step up.

[mikev]

I'm looking forward to the day we have a QB listed at (or near) the top of his position for the draft.

[The Coach]

Before you break your arm patting yourself on the back Mark, it wasn't like you were saying he was going to be a top 11-21 pick. You were saying if he could go ANYWHERE in the 2nd round, he should go.

Monster difference between being picked in the 50's or 60's vs. top 20!!!!!!

[jimb]

Congrats Mark for the great call...and I agreed but didn't want to see him leave. I always look at Devin as another Randle El. Remember when Randle came to MSU and beat the tar out of the Spartans!? He and Devin have that gift to not only be a receiver, but a runner, kick return guy, and I bet he can kick and throw too.
See the USA Today article(4-21) on Cream of Crop receivers with the feature article on Devin, no mention of Mario!
Remember that he was really in his senior year since he went to
Coffeyville CC and was red shirted there for his first year,
followed by an all league year!

[some guy]

Yeah, I'm with you Mark, education is for fools.

[nordberg]

perhaps Devin and Lee Evans can discuss the pros and cons of leaving college early vs staying for that senior year. cost evans millions.

[spartanforever]

why does buffalo have a team?????

[David]

Jiimb: I'm afraid Devin doesn't have an arm - by his own admission. MSU tried a trick play against Ohio State in which Thomas was supposed to throw the ball downfield to Kellen Davis. The play was there - Davis was wide open, but Thomas missed him (underthrown) by a mile. That was the 1st and last time they ever tried to use him to throw the ball.

In any case, it's astounding how things can change in a yr. Last April, people were talking about Manningham being the 1st WR taken in this draft, while DT was unheard of. Not only has DT been projected as the 1st overall WR taken by most all the pundits, but Manningham has fallen to the 3rd or 4th round on a lot of boards.

Now, I'm not one to always obssess over MSU / U-M comparisons, but it is curious. I also recall @ least one pro-Michigan blogger back in the fall who said that Thomas made a stupid mistake & wouldn't get drafted @ all. Looks like that wolvie wasn't exactly a Nostradomas!

DSR

[spartanforever]

Indeed Mr.Mark some of us can be accused of anything from stupid,optimistic,dreemy eyed homer and some expletives-ha.You got the last word and you probably saw something others of us don't get to see (the actual players up front and personal).

I'm not back there but I was told by an old HS team mate of mine that he and T.J.Williams were the real deal athletically...It just depended on their desire to go out there and prove to the world they were amongst the best.

Now tell me Mr.M.how long will it be before our coach's are able to convince some of the Pryor's,and Elways that MSU is where the receivers are.A balanced attack(I think coach-D wants)should not be a problem.Stanton could have been something to build on and we may very well have next level qb's now I don't know.

I do know that winning qb's walk and chew gum at the same time:they get rid of the ball,they toss very few errant passes,they move the chains,inspire teammates-they lead or learn to lead.Clock control,noticing what might be weak on that defence-how to get just 6 yard's...Qb's get too much credit and too little accountability.

Devin Thomas dropped the ball,the receiver didn't run a correct route and on and on...Some how Drew Breeze had success or this kid at NW last season (beat us by himself).

The pooint here is that in evaluating a kid like Devin-you have to look deeper than a one season wonder.He could have produced 3-4 games into his first season jls (and Mason)was in way over their heads-the big ten was to much for them not Devin and T.J.Give them Willingham,Pete Carrol,or Leach down at Texas Tech and these two would light up the score board.I think Davis will prove to be the best rookie Tight End this season-man I hope he goes to the Colts or similar team.What does Devin have to do???He ran back kicks,caught 79 passes over 1200 yd's,ran less than 4.4...Maybe NFL teams are blowing smoke and he might get picked higher than listed.I just hope he does not go to the lions,bills,or a few others.Lets hope he goes to a team that has a really good qb and team.Congradulations DEVIN THOMAS you did a fine job at MSU,finish your degree on your terms( Bill Gates and others left school early also).

[mkirk]

some guy,

the majority of football players that stay for their senior years don't ever graduate. It's an argument I used to make too, but found out it's a bad one. They leave college without their degree anyway, so if he's got the chance to go and go early, then he's not missing anything. Sad, but true.

[MSUinSC]

Coach-

I remember a similar argument from Mark. He did talk about Devin going in the mid to late second round - not top 15. However, I think this goes to show that the NFL is not concerned with your body of work but "what have you done for me lately" mentality. Devin has all the numbers from the combine - size, speed, and (underrated) strength. His numbers for a season were outstanding - but that was 1 season. I wish Devin the best of luck in the NFL and I hope all of his recent success doesn't go to his head. Keep your head down and keep working - there are 10 - 15 number one receivers currently playing in the NFL. To get to the top of the pile doesn't just occur with raw numbers. It takes dedication and an unbelievably competitive mentality. I am happy to have you in the Spartan fraternity and good luck this weekend. Go State.

[jimb]

DSR
Did you notice that Super Mario's 'personal habits' are coming out now...like drug usage.
NFL teams look for character, as well as athletic skill. I believe Devin meets that criteria, Mario not so.
I will let go of my belief that Thomas can pass...how about a punt, or kickoff!?

[Tampa Bay 65]

Think how high he would have gone in the draft if he stayed at MSU one more year.....