Julius Thomas, the Latest ‘Basketball’ Tight End
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INDIANAPOLIS — At the scouting combine, players who aren’t nationally known get the chance to prove themselves on the biggest predraft stage. Not many people have heard of Portland State tight end Julius Thomas, but he’s a player who has the attention of pro scouts. He’s a former basketball star who played only one year of college football, but he impressed at the Shrine Game and hopes to make an even better impression here. I watched Thomas up close during the week of practice for the Shrine Game in January, and had a chance to sit down and talk with him Thursday. Here’s my scouting report on a player who some believe could be the next “out of nowhere” hoops-to-football star.
Julius Thomas – TE – Portland State – 6-5, 251 pounds
Background/Statistics
Played one year of high school football, deciding to channel his energy into basketball. He followed that pattern in college as well, where he was a four-year letterman for the Vikings in basketball. In only his second season of playing organized football, Thomas was named to the All-Big Sky Conference team. He caught 29 passes for 453 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2010.
During the week of practice for the Shrine Game, Thomas generated some buzz in the scouting community. He was most often compared to Packers TE Jermichael Finley by those watching practice. He has a similar body type and plays more like a supersized wide receiver. During the game, he accounted for the only points scored by the West team. In the second quarter, he caught a 5-yard TD pass from Idaho QB Nathan Enderle, and followed that up by catching the 2-point conversion.
Scouting Report
Thomas was one of my favorite players to watch on the All-Star road trip (Shrine Game, Senior Bowl, NFLPA Game) this year. He was a standout player in practice at the Shrine Game and showed that he belonged against a higher level of competition. Each day in practice, he wowed those in attendance with his silky smooth athleticism, his knack for making the tough catch, and his concentration. He rarely dropped a pass; he will consistently look a pass into his hands.
He has good ball tracking ability when hauling in a long pass, and is a natural hands catcher. Thomas has a game built on speed and quickness. He knows how to use his big frame to box out defenders, and will square his shoulders to the line of scrimmage. This gives his quarterback the biggest target possible to throw to. He’s too fast for linebackers to cover, and too big for safeties to cover effectively. Thomas essentially creates mismatches every time he lines up on the field.
Combine Quotations
Why did he choose football over basketball? “The decision was made in 2007. Football has been my favorite sport my entire life. In high school I had a lot of success in basketball. They said don’t play football, you’ll get hurt and you are being given a scholarship; be safe about it. I didn’t really have an opportunity to play football in high school. In college, for the two sport-athletes, it works well for a football player to play basketball. But a basketball player, football season goes halfway into November, so they didn’t allow me to play. It was always if I had my redshirt year left, then they would want me to go on and play football.”
His experience at the 2011 Shrine Game: “It was a tremendous opportunity and I am really appreciative that they allowed me to go down there and play. There is always that question coming from Portland State — have you ever played against any top talent, unlike Jimmy Graham or Jordan Cameron, who played in major schools. But playing at Portland State and having success was huge for my confidence. Being for somebody that is new to the sport, confidence is huge and finding those things that you can hang your hat on. Going out against some of the people in the Shrine Game was huge against them and it helped me set a bar for myself and allow me some ideas of what I can do and most of all was encouraging to know that I can play.”
Can he jump over a Kia and dunk a basketball (like Clippers F Blake Griffin at the All-Star Game)? “Now? I don’t think I can. But back in the day last year at this time, I could have done it.”
His favorite dunk to throw down: “My favorite dunk was the windmill, off two feet from outside the key. Come baseline and let it just hang and bring it all around. It’s flashy and powerful all at the same time.”
Bottom Line
Thomas is considered a seventh-round pick, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him selected in the fifth round because of his upside. There isn’t a lot of film on Thomas, but he made an impression on N.F.L. evaluators in Orlando at the Shrine Game. If a team is looking for an athletic “move” tight end with huge potential, then Julius Thomas is a solid gamble on the last day of the draft.
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