Earl Thomas, CB

One of the youngest players eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft, Thomas is also one of the most debatable. A collegiate strong safety, he has shown the man coverage skills to make a successful move to cornerback, as some teams do not feel that his frame is suited to play strong safety at the next level.

However, with his natural hands and ball-hawking skills, along with playmaking ability, Thomas could be the perfect solution for a team looking for a game-changing type of free safety. One only needs to look at the success and rapid development of New England's Brandon Meriweather as an example of what Thomas can offer a professional defensive backfield.

The rapid improvement of the Longhorns' secondary last year was the result of the coaches allowing Thomas to "play his game." The third-year sophomore proved to be very capable of making the big plays, especially when it came to competing for the ball. "The coaches had confidence in me last year," Thomas said. "I really didn't know what to expect."

Thomas had a banner sophomore campaign, as the consensus All-American set the school season-record with eight interceptions. Only Josh Bullocks of Nebraska (10 in 2001) had more interceptions in a season in Big Twelve Conference annals. His two pass thefts for touchdown returns tied the school annual mark and his 149 return yards placed second in Longhorn season annals.

Thomas is a choir boy, but do not mistake him for a pushover on the football field. While it's true that the University of Texas sophomore played the piano for his church choir in Austin, and he is no stranger to the saxophone, that does not mean he won't do his level best to level anything that trespasses into the secondary.

"I saw Earl at our scrimmage (last season)," said West Orange-Stark High head football coach Dan Hooks, whom Earl played for before graduating in 2006. "He's developed so much physically. He's probably put on 15 pounds of solid muscle."

Thomas flies around the field at 5-foot-10 and a combo plate just over 200 pounds. He might have made a name for himself as a pass thief, thanks to those eight interceptions, but there is a whole lot more that he brought to the playing field.

In addition to his pickoffs, he deflected 10 other passes and rerouted receivers away from 24 other pass attempts. Opponents averaged just 4.7 yards per pass completion in his area, as he killed numerous scoring drives, making nineteen of his plays on third-down action. He also excelled on the kickoff coverage unit, adding seven more tackles playing for the special team squad.

Thomas has always played at a higher level than his teammates. At West Orange-Stark High School, he earned All-State honors during his three-year gridiron career, competing as a defensive back, receiver and tailback. He helped his team to a 24-2 record over his final two seasons. He was tabbed second-team Class 3A All-state by the Associated Press and third-team All-State by the Texas Sports Writers Association at receiver as a senior.

Named the District 21-3A MVP, Thomas recorded 42 tackles and five interceptions, adding more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns (13 rushing, 12 receiving) on offense to lead West Orange-Stark to an 11-1 record and the 3A regional finals in his final season.

Thomas was selected second-team 3A All-State by the Associated Press as a junior. He rushed for almost 900 yards and 12 touchdowns with over 300 yards receiving and two scores, helping West Orange-Stark to a 13-1 record in advancing to the 3A state semifinals that year.

For his prep career, Thomas recorded 112 tackles with eleven interceptions, two kickoff returns for touchdowns and two punt returns for scores. He also had 1,850 rushing yards and 2,140 receiving yards.

Thomas also lettered in basketball, baseball and track and field, reaching the playoffs in all four sports as a junior. The two-time letterman in basketball averaged 10.2 points per game. He lettered twice in baseball, playing centerfield and shortstop, hitting over .300. In track, he added three more letters, participating in relays and long jump. He was also part of a 4x200m relay team that reached the state finals as a junior.

Thomas was the prized recruit from the Texas 2006 class, but did not play with the varsity that season, retaining freshman eligibility. He burst on to the scene in 2007, earning first-team Freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America, College Football News and The Sporting News. He was tabbed honorable mention All-Big Twelve Conference and named UT's Most Productive Defensive Performer three times.

That season, Thomas started all thirteen games at "left" (strong) safety. He recorded 70 tackles with three stops for loss, making 15 of his stops on third-down snaps. He caused four fumbles, deflected 11 passes and picked off two others. He also excelled on special teams, blocking a punt vs. Florida Atlantic in his collegiate debut, adding seven tackles (six solo) performing on the coverage unit.

As a third-year sophomore, Thomas was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back). He was named first-team All-American by The NFL Draft Report, Walter Camp Football Foundation, American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press and Football Writers Association of America. The unanimous first-team All-Big Twelve selection was twice named Big Twelve Defensive Player of the Week.

Thomas registered 65 tackles (46 solos) with 4.5 stops for loss, ten pass deflections and a school season-record eight interceptions. He registered seven solo tackles for the kick coverage unit and five more (four solo) on the punt coverage squad, adding 54 yards on three punt returns.

After a heartbreaking loss to Alabama in the BCS Bowl Championship, Thomas announced that he was leaving Texas to test his wares in the National Football League.

"I talked about it with my family and we thought this was for the best," Thomas said. "I look at my family's situation and some of their financial issues. I want to provide anything they need and I don't want my mother to work anymore."

Thomas' father, Earl, and mother, Debbie, live with his grandparents in Orange after their home was destroyed by Hurricane Rita. "A house for them will be one of the first things I purchase," Thomas said. "There is no doubt in my mind I am ready. I am ready to make a life for myself."

Thomas did acknowledge he will finish his college education and earn a degree.

Read & React: Recognizes what's coming quickly and has the speed to get to the spot to make a play. As a safety, he was a bit overaggressive, biting on play-action and underneath routes which leaves cornerbacks on an island.

Man Coverage: Needs technique work before making the move to cornerback. Backpedal is high and slow, and lags in recovery on double moves and catching up to receivers running quick outs or square-ins. Has the speed to turn and run with receivers.

Zone Coverage: Attacks throws in front of him and has good range as a safety. Can make the interception or a big hit to separate the man from the ball. Makes quarterbacks pay for late throws over the middle, baiting them into making poor decisions. Excellent hand-eye coordination.

Closing/Recovery: Very good burst and closing speed to the ball. Wins most battles for the ball in the air. Slow to plant and drive in coverage but can close when the play is in front of him. Recovers from false steps to get back to receivers.

Run Support: Willing to support the run. Flies into the action at full speed, pounding backs in the open field. Will overpursue and fail to break down, missing tackles. Will struggle to get off receiver or lineman blocks.

Tackling: Inconsistent as a tackler in space despite good statistics. Larger receivers and tough running backs run through his tackles in space. Ends up riding big receivers for a few yards before bringing them down. A special teams force in college and will be used there in the pros.

Intangibles: Heady, hard-working player on the practice field and in the weight room. Directs secondary and knows teammates' assignments. Father Earl Thomas, Sr., is a pastor.

Thomas is the fourth defensive back in the Mack Brown era to be named a Thorpe Award finalist (nation's top defensive back) … Started all 27 games of his Texas career, posting 135 tackles (97 solos) with 7.5 stops for losses of 37 yards and one quarterback pressure on defense, adding nineteen tackles (17 solos) with a blocked punt performing on UT's special team coverage units … Caused five fumbles and returned four punts for 58 yards (14.5-yard average) … Deflected 21 passes and intercepted ten others for 149 yards in returns … His 10 interceptions rank 11th on the school's career-record list … His eight interceptions in 2009 set the school season-record, topping the previous mark of seven that was shared by Nathan Vasher (2001), Jerry Gray (1984), William Graham (1981), Jack Crain (1940) and Noble Doss (1940) … His eight pass thefts rank second on the Big Twelve Conference season-record list behind Josh Bullocks of Nebraska (ten in 2001) … His two interception returns for touchdowns in 2009 rank tied for fourth on the school career list and tied the Texas season-record he now shares with Brandon Foster (2007), Michael Huff (both 2002 and 2003), Greg Brown (2000) and Alan Lowry (1971) … His 92-yard interception return vs. Colorado in 2009 tied Harrison Stafford (vs. Southern Methodist, 1932) for the second longest run back in school history, ranking behind Jack Collins (95, vs. Baylor in 1936) … His 149 total interception return yards rank second on the school season-record list behind Jack Crain (160 in 1940).

Thomas earned All-American first-team honors from The NFL Draft Report, Walter Camp Football Foundation, American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press and Football Writers Association of America, adding second-team honors from The Sporting News … Became the fourth Longhorn during the Mack Brown era to be named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back … Unanimous All-Big Twelve Conference first-team choice … Twice named Big Twelve Defensive Player of the Week (Texas Tech and Oklahoma) and selected the team's Most Productive Performer three times … Helped UT rank 12th nationally in scoring defense (16.71 points per game), third in total defense (251.93 yards per game), first in rushing defense (62.2 yards per game), 10th in pass efficiency defense (100.48 rating) and 19th in pass defense (179.57 yards per game) … Texas also ranked first nationally in INTs (24) and second in forced turnovers (35) … Thomas recorded 65 tackles (46 solos) with 4.5 stops for losses of 27 yards and one forced fumble … Deflected 10 passes and led the league while ranking third in the nation with a school season-record eight interceptions, ranking second on the UT season-record chart with 149 yards in returns while tying the UT annual record with two interceptions returned for touchdowns … Added 54 yards on three punt returns (18.0-yard average) … His total of 18 passes defended (1.29 per game) ranked tied for sixth in the nation … In addition to his 18 defended passes, Thomas rerouted receivers away from 24 other throws, as opponents averaged just 4.7 yards on 70 passes attempted into his area … Made nineteen third-down tackles, including 17 in passing situations … Added seven solo tackles on kick coverage and five stops (4 solos) for the punt coverage team … Was in on 24 plays vs. the ground game, as those runners amassed 164 yards and nine first downs.

Earned first-team Freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America, College Football News and The Sporting News … Honorable mention All-Big Twelve Conference choice by the Associated Press and the league's coaches … Was named UT's Most Productive Defensive Performer three times … Started all 13 games at strong safety, recording 70 tackles (51 solo) with three stops for losses of 10 yards and one quarterback pressure … Part of a squad that led the Big Twelve and finished 12th in the nation in scoring defense (16.71 ppg) … Picked off two passes and deflected 11 others, as his 13 passes defended ranked 38th in the nation … Recorded seven tackles (six solo) for the special team coverage unit, as he also blocked a punt that he returned four yards.

Redshirted as a freshman.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.43 in the 40-yard dash … 1.56 10-yard dash … 2.50 20-yard dash … 4.17 20-yard shuttle … 6.92 three-cone drill … 34-inch vertical jump … 9'5" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times … 31 1/4-inch arm length … 9 3/8-inch hands.

Attended West Orange-Stark (Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Dan Hooks … Earned All-State honors during his three-year gridiron career, competing as a defensive back, receiver and tailback … Helped his team to a 24-2 record over his final two seasons … Tabbed second-team Class 3A All-state by the Associated Press and third-team All-State by the Texas Sports Writers Association at receiver as a senior … Named the District 21-3A MVP, Thomas recorded 42 tackles and five interceptions, adding more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns (13 rushing, 12 receiving) on offense to lead West Orange-Stark to an 11-1 record and the 3A regional finals in his final season … Named second-team 3A All-State by the Associated Press as a junior … Rushed for almost 900 yards and 12 touchdowns with over 300 yards receiving and two scores, helping West Orange-Stark to a 13-1 record in advancing to the 3A state semifinals that year … For his prep career, Thomas recorded 112 tackles with eleven interceptions, two kickoff returns for touchdowns and two punt returns for scores … Also had 1,850 rushing yards and 2,140 receiving yards … Lettered in basketball, baseball and track and field, reaching the playoffs in all four sports as a junior … The two-time letterman in basketball averaged 10.2 points per game … Lettered twice in baseball, playing centerfield and shortstop, hitting over .300 … In track, he added three more letters, participating in relays and long jump … Also part of a 4x200m relay team that reached the state finals as a junior … Honor Roll student.

Enrolled in the College of Education … Active member of his church in which his grand-father, Earl Thomas, is the pastor … Plays piano in church and played tenor saxophone in the band when he was younger … Part of a rebuilding project following Hurricane Katrina … Uncle, Anthony Thomas, was a linebacker at Stephen F. Austin (1997-99) … Born 5/07/89 … Resides in Orange, Texas.