Maurice Thomas - Talawanda High School

       One of the reasons I encourage high school prospects to try to attend my combines is to get on my radar. Not being an "attitude," but being on my radar just means that I like to see a prospect in person. Heights, weights, distances, and times are often exaggerated. Recruiting reporters often overrate a prospect just to readers interested.
       I am often asked by college recruiters, "Have you seen .... in person. Sad, but sometimes college recruiters go off of list, look at 5 minutes of video, and draw a conclusion. If the school is one that does not usually produce D-1 prospects, you can guess what they do.
       At our combine yesterday, I was asked to watch a junior from Talawanda High School. Yes, Talawanda High School. I can promise you, if I ask a college recruiter to check out Talawanda, I will get the raised eyebrow. Wonderful high school, but not many D-1 prospects.
       When a prospect is measured 5''11.6 -172( no shoes). When he runs 4.5 (electronic) 40. When he verticals 40.7 inches off a pad. When he runs a 4.2/shuttle. When broad jumps 10'3 inches. When he runs a 7.0/ L-cone. McCallister has found a diamond-in-the rough.
        Although he has always been a running back and played little defense, I put him at corner in some one on one drills. Some day, Maurice Thomas from Talawanda HS should be playing CB for a D-1 School. He is physical, recovers quickly, and can turn and run.
        Maurice needs to get into some college camps this summer. He needs to get where the "decision makers" are. Going to all of the private camps that charge money with the promise of exposure is not necessary for him. He has to get on campus.
        My combines are not meant for the prospects with all of the "offers."(??). MSROHIO Developmental Combines are meant for prospects who want to learn, to compete, to get better, and get on my radar. Maurice did all of the above.
        RB Maurice Thomas from Talawanda HS has a chance to be really good. In college, he can play corner. Looking forward to watching him compete in pads next fall.