Deanthony Thomas: The NFL’s Next Star?
Deanthony Thomas, WR for the Kansas City Chiefs, is a player to keep an eye on. His unique skillset and background make him a player that could have a bright future in the NFL.
Introduction
In the world of professional football, there are a select few players who have the chance to truly make a name for themselves. These are the athletes who not only have the skill and talent to succeed at the highest level, but also the charisma and personality to capture the imagination of the fans.
One player who seems to have all of the necessary ingredients to become a bona fide star in the National Football League is Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Deanthony Thomas.
A native of Pittsburg, California, Thomas was a highly decorated high school football player, earning first-team All-State honors as a senior. He then went on to star at Oregon, where he was a two-time All-American and helped lead the Ducks to a victory in the 2012 Rose Bowl.
Thomas’s combination of speed, playmaking ability, and unpredictability has led some to compare him to Pittsburgh Steelers great Hines Ward. Ward himself has said that Thomas has “all of the tools to be a great receiver in this league.”
While it is still early in his career, everything seems to be pointing towards Deanthony Thomas becoming one of the NFL’s next big stars.
Early Life and High School Career
Deanthony Thomas was born in Southern California and played high school football at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles. He was a four-star recruit and ranked as the seventh best wide receiver in the nation by Rivals.com. As a senior, he had 58 receptions for 1,297 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was also a star track athlete, winning the 2013 state championship in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.39 seconds.
Thomas committed to play college football at Oregon, where he became one of the most electrifying players in the country. In his three years with the Ducks, he totaled 3,458 all-purpose yards and 36 touchdowns. He was a two-time first-team All-Pac 12 selection and was named a consensus All-American as a junior in 2014.
Thomas decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round with the 96th overall pick.
College Career
Deanthony Thomas played for the University of Oregon from 2011 to 2013. During his time with the Ducks, Thomas led the team in all-purpose yards for three consecutive seasons. As a junior, he was a key player on the team that won the 2013 Fiesta Bowl.
Thomas decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility and declare for the 2014 NFL Draft. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round with the 124th overall pick.
NFL Career
Deanthony Thomas, nicknamed “The Cheetah” for his speed and elusiveness, was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon, where he was a two-time consensus All-American.
During his rookie season with the Chiefs, Thomas appeared in all 16 games and made three starts, recording 24 receptions for 250 yards and four touchdowns. The following season, he started eleven games and had 33 receptions for 386 yards and five touchdowns. In 2016, Thomas started eight games and caught 44 passes for 583 yards and four touchdowns.
Thomas is considered one of the fastest players in the NFL, clocking in at 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine. He is also a dangerous return specialist, collecting 1,163 return yards and two touchdowns over his three-year career.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Deanthony Thomas has all the makings of a future NFL star. He is a gifted athlete with the speed, explosiveness, and elusiveness to make an impact on both offense and special teams. With the right opportunity, he has the potential to become one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers.
