#UmYahYah Commitment Report: Deonta Thomas (SMB-2020)
In football – and certainly Division III football – one player can elevate a program in a way that not a lot of other singular factors can. Yes, it’s a team game, but in college one big-time recruit can really serve to legitimize an offense, defense, or both, reinforce a positive culture on a team, or turn the tide in favor of your team for the never ending recruiting battles that make up so much of the offseason. As I’m sure some of you know, I am a St. Olaf College graduate who spent four years on the football team as a defensive back. This puts me in the unique situation of covering, interviewing, and writing about a lot of my alma maters recruiting targets throughout the state of Minnesota, whether I know they are a prospect or not. When I heard the news of Deonta Thomas – a 6’1, 175 lb. DB/WR out of the Metro powerhouse conglomerate of SMB – committing to St. Olaf as a DB, I could barely contain my excitement, as Thomas is one of those players I mentioned in the beginning of the article.
#8The former Wolfpack two-way baller is an instinctual and hard-hitting defensive back who will look great in the Oles black and gold uniforms, and will be able to come in right away and help an in-need defensive backfield that faces some of DIII’s best passing attacks throughout their season. Not only that, Thomas was a cornerstone DB during SMB’s recent state title runs and 4A dominance, and provides some prime-time experience that can help the Oles in big-time, big-game situations. Thomas turned down multiple scholarship offers from NAIA’s, and even the NSIC’s University of Minnesota-Duluth to attend St. Olaf College, and his program-changing commitment to the Oles has great promise for future recruiting battles for his fellow Wolfpack teammates and other prep studs throughout the state. With all this being said, I’m very excited represent Northstar Football News to bring to you this special #umyahyah edition of Deonta Thomas’ “Commitment Report.” The senior shared with us some details of his recruitment process, what stood out about the Oles during all of it, and what he’s excited for regarding DIII football. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy! Senior Season SMB
NFN: Hello and congratulations on the commitment to St. Olaf, Deonta. Please begin by telling our readers a little bit about your recruitment process overall. When did the process really begin, and when did it start to heat up?
Thomas: “My recruiting process really began the summer before my senior year, my junior year I wasn’t getting any looks but as I got bigger and stronger throughout the summer going into my senior year I grabbed the attention of a few schools mainly D3, NAIA, and JUCOs. My recruitment really picked up during sections as I got more and more interests including some from D2s and D1s. At the end of my season I had still received 0 offers so after I made my highlight tape, I sent my film to 100 coaches a week at all levels. This resulted in my first offer from a NAIA program and things picked up from there. Various JUCOs and NAIA programs were recruiting me and I had the attention of about every D3 school in MN and WI, and many more scattered around the midwest.”
#8NFN: And how did St. Olaf factor into the equation? When did they get into the mix and what got you interested in the Oles in the first place?
Thomas: “St. Olaf was actually the very first school to ever show interest in me playing college ball. I first met Coach Killian when he visited our school, the spring of my junior year, to recruit my friend and teammate Siegel Howard Siegel Howard RB SMB | 2019 State MN . I introduced myself and he gave me his card. At the time I was just a scrawny Junior excited to even be talking to a coach. Throughout the summer and the season St. Olaf grew more and more interest in me as I got to meet various coaches and built great relationships early on. The consistent love that all of the coaching staff had shown to me was a huge factor in my decision, and they made it very clear that I was one of their top recruits and that they wanted me in their program badly.”
NFN: Yes, we did. What ultimately made you chose to commit to St. Olaf?
Thomas: “I ultimately chose St. Olaf because they were the school who had been recruiting me for the longest and I felt that I can really go into that program and be welcomed into their family. The strong majority of schools hadn’t started recruiting me until after I made my film and I didn’t get any D1 or D2 interests or offers until January of the new year. Just that early attention from St. Olaf was huge for me in making my decision, I feel like I’m going to a program who really has my back.”
NFN: Yes, we do! How was your senior season with the SMB Wolfpack? What were some highlights? And how do you feel about your prep career overall?
Thomas: “My senior season was a great experience, due to various injuries on the team early on in the season I was moved around from corner to free and strong safety to even nickel linebacker on defense, so I got to really turn myself into a versatile player. That last game still stings a little but I wouldn’t want to have gone out any other way. The most memorable game for me hands down was the section championship vs BSM. Huge crowd, sidelines surrounded, fans screaming it was a crazy atmosphere to play in. I think me and Trevon, our SS, were the only guys without sleeves on our defense that game. The adversity the team faced throughout the whole game just made the comeback we made that much more impressive. For my high school career personally you can see me blossom into a new player from the tiny slot wide receiver I came in as a freshman, to the long and big athlete I am today.”
NFN: Well said. What position will you be playing in college? And what kind of player is Olaf getting?
Thomas: “In college I will be playing cornerback. St. Olaf is getting a extremely competitive, hard working, and selfless player in me. I hate to lose, nobody can out work me, and I love seeing my teammates succeed.”
NFN: I don’t doubt that one bit. Last but not least, what made you choose to play DIII ball? What intrigues you about the Division III experience, and what does St. Olaf uniquely offer with that experience?
Thomas: “For awhile I struggled on deciding what level I wanted to play at as I had multiple D2 offers and interests, but D3 gives me a chance to really enjoy my college experience as a whole and still play at a competitive level. St. Olaf offers a unique and competitive program that’s really starting to build a national championship team, and I wanted to be apart of that journey!”
Thank you so much to the well-spoken senior! This won’t be the last you hear of Deonta Thomas. #UmYahYah