'08 FL RB Carlton Thomas (Georgia Verbal)

[IrishCalves]

Right. And with Jeremy Brown, he said he "slightly" favors Florida, yet they don't miss that one, and list him as high, even though he made ND his last visit to boot. Agreed: typical.

 

[irishunclebill]

Has announced a top 5 of ND, USC, WVU, Iowa, and Auburn. Just three days ago scout had us as the favorite and now we're just listed medium interest 3 days later with everybody else, typical.

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=8&c=1&nid=3024438

IK1023- Take it easy, you are way too young to blow a gasket this early in the recruiting season.

There are two problems with the story on the link you just posted. One, it is written by WeARESC, so I guess you know where they are coming from. Secondly, the article you linked is dated 4/30/07, the one I posted on 5/7 and linked above was written on 5/7, so it is actually more current than the one you just posted.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=2&c=642126

The more recent story was also written by a guy who is supposed to be neutral in these things, but usually is also biased against ND. So for him to quote Carlton in a more recent article as saying ND is the slight leader here is actually really good news.

This is not going to be an easy one for ND to get arguably the #1 RB in the state of Florida out of Florida, but we are slightly in the lead here because we offered Thomas early, and because the staff is recruiting this kid very heavily. He also has no offers from the Florida schools as yet, and does not really seem interested in them. USC has offered, but they are not the major competition here. Carlton is eager to play right away, and for ND to be ultimately successful in recruiting him, CW is going to have to convince him that with his talents, he will be able to contribute immediately.

Anyway, hope that makes you feel better. My bill will be in the mail later.

 

[rockne19]

if thomas is the #1 runningback in the state of fla.how come the big 3 haven't offered?

 

[irishunclebill]

if thomas is the #1 runningback in the state of fla.how come the big 3 haven't offered?

Because they don't recognize talent the way CW does, and because they think Thomas is too small to be a big time college player.

 

[irishunclebill]

IK 1023- I see now where your link is going to the 5/10 headline blurb. The first time I clicked on it I only saw the WeAreSc story from 4/30. The guy who wrote the 5/10 story is an even bigger hack than Wallace, so I would not give it much weight.

However, you and GD3 are correct in saying that it is typical Scout bias. Scout has always been the most negative toward ND. As GD3 pointed out, they have Jeremy Brown listed with High Interest in Florida, but do not have Carlton Thomas listed as High Interest in ND even though both of these kids said almost exactly the same thing, one slightly favors ND, the other one slighty favors Florida. The best part is that it is the same guy, Allen Wallace, who quoted Brown & Thomas, yet their database does not reflect the similar quotes. Scout's database on offers and interest is screwed up to begin with, throw in an inherent anti-ND bias by their national staff and you might as well ignore their college choices info. I do.

On Brown I can't overstate how significant it is that he will be making his decision after visiting ND for the USC game. He may slightly favor Florida, but he is obviously hoping to get blown away by ND when he visits. If the staff can accomplish that, and the team performs well against the Trojans, IMO Jeremy Brown will be convinced.

 

[rockne19]

Iub,don't get me wrong i hope we can land Thomas!Espcially that he is from gator territory.But the big 3 are top programs and I'am sure they know talent.He has only 3 offers from big time programs nd,usc,&auburn.I'am sure that will change very soon,or during his senior football season.

 

[irishunclebill]

Iub,don't get me wrong i hope we can land Thomas!Espcially that he is from gator territory.But the big 3 are top programs and I'am sure they know talent.He has only 3 offers from big time programs nd,usc,&auburn.I'am sure that will change very soon,or during his senior football season.

Rockne, I'm sure you hope we can land Thomas, you are about as pro-ND and spirited guy as we have around here. Don't forget that Thomas is a little bit of a "diamond in the rough" though and I do not give much credit to the Cockwad in recognizing these type talents. Usually, he just plays follow the leader, so I am sure you are right that Florida will eventually offer him. I'm not so sure about Miami & FSU though, they do not throw offers around like Urban, and for Miami especially Thomas does not fit their typical RB mode. FSU also may not waste an offer because they figure in the end they would not be able to compete with Florida, much less ND & USC for Thomas. Don't forget that Thomas comes from Polk County which is hard-core Gator country. The other Florida schools do not do well there in recruiting.

 

[GoIrish41]

if thomas is the #1 runningback in the state of fla.how come the big 3 haven't offered?

Rock, I just watched this kid's highlights for the first time. He has incredible vision, great balance and sick moves. I don't care who else offers. This guy is awesome. I think his clips are better than any other back I've seen this recruiting season, and as good as Noel Devine's last year. I can see why Charlie wants this kid so bad. He is a game breaker, pure and simple.

 

[rockne19]

I really hope we can steal this kid from gator country!Of course the gator fans will say that they didn't want him anyway.Too small,too slow,not durable,no power,etc.I wonder if he will get one of Liar's committable offers?And then have it yanked!

 

[Irishknight1023]

Who cares about if Florida offers, USC offered and that holds a little more water than a Florida offer who doesn't produce any backs.

 

[GoshenGipper]

W.Virginia, and Arizona St. aren't bad offers either to go along with Auburn, ND, and USC.

BTW, pictures added to profile.

 

[mat33]

Wow!!! I just saw the highlight film for this kid and he is absolutly electrifying, kind of reminds me of Armando Allen.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Wow!!! I just saw the highlight film for this kid and he is absolutly electrifying, kind of reminds me of Armando Allen.

More like Barry Sanders

 

[rockne19]

i want weis to continue to steal kids from the state of florida.weis is very smart and he knows that there is great talent in fla.(in my opinion the best state for highschool football)

 

[Irishknight1023]

I hate to beat a dead horse but IMO if ND is going to waste a scholarship on a RB this year I think it has to be this man right here who said we were leading for his services about a month ago and that we were recruiting him the hardest which is what he said will decide who gets him. Watching his YouTube highlights is rediculous with his accelaration and cutting ability. In the beginning I couldn't see myself getting excited about ND offering or getting ANY RB, but i've been on the CT bandwagon for a while now and are very excited to land a RB of this caliber (Outrushed Rainey in that division last year!).....

I'm sure it's been posted 200 times but in case you haven't seen it......

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8gfhtSE0WGs

 

[rontdtarchala]

good lord he can cut, and if football doesn't work out with a stiff arm that he uses boxing is always a possibility

 

[NDgrandson]

Thats the best thing on screen I've seen since The Office finale. I think the last TB highlights I saw was Robert Hughes. Since then it's been a lot of DL and LB. He has every move in the book. My favorite was when he propelled himself right though the poor CB at the 1 yard line and into the endzone. There were so many great moves in the 7 and a half minutes that that one caught me off guard. Why is he not on the rivals 250? He is polished and I REALLY hope we get him.

 

[ACamp1900]

not that Rb is our 'need' this season but this kid is right up there on ACamp's 'want' list.....

(crosses fingers)

 

[Irishknight1023]

Thomas has stated again that ND is recruiting him the hardest, but he doesn't think he'll be able to make it up to South Bend this summer because it's too far, but he is looking to come here during his bye week. After taking some unofficial visits he hopes to narrow his list down. As of right now the schools that stand out the most to him are ND, Rutgers, Arkansas, Clemson, WVU, Georgia, Auburn and he said maybe one other one haha I guess whoever that "one other one" shouldn't be much of competition. Seems like every recruit we're serious about says we're recruiting them the hardest. Truely the hardest working coaching staff in college football IMO.

 

[knute]

More like Barry Sanders

Not quite. He looks great, but let's not get carried away.

 

[rontdtarchala]

I don't know about barry sanders good but he is a major running back without a doubt

 

[rontdtarchala]

not to get off subject (please forgive) when do the freshmen report to campus

 

[RichardRiot]

Not quite. He looks great, but let's not get carried away.

Think he meant more the style - don't think Gip was saying Thomas is at the same talent level. The talent levels would be hard to compare since Thomas is not even a HS Senior yet.

 

[knute]

Think he meant more the style - don't think Gip was saying Thomas is at the same talent level. The talent levels would be hard to compare since Thomas is not even a HS Senior yet.

I was going to say that nobody has Barry Sander's style, but I just watched Barry on youtube and I can see the point, except that Barry is making pro-NFL players look foolish and Carlton Thomas is doing it at the high school level. Keep up the hard work, Carlton and you could be doing this:

YouTube - Barry Sanders - Top 5 Touchdowns

 

[benneboy]

Just in case anybody was wondering, because I was:
Barry Sanders (In the NFL):
5'8" 205lbs

Carlton Thomas:
5'7" 175lbs

They should have very similar frames by the time Carlton gets into the heart of his college career. Again you never want to draw comparisons between a High School Junior and one of the best RB's in NFL history, but this just helps to show that you can't discount him because of his size.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Think he meant more the style - don't think Gip was saying Thomas is at the same talent level. The talent levels would be hard to compare since Thomas is not even a HS Senior yet.

Yes, that was what I was saying. I think his running style resembles Sanders more than it does AA.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Thomas looks as old as Oden.........
Dude, that IS Barry Sanders.

 

[Irishknight1023]

Scout.com: Carlton Thomas Jr. Profile

---Carlton just received his 4th star from Scout and ranked 31st RB overall. Still being underrated and overlooked I guess.

 

[Ricochet]

I like his highlights but I'm not sure how his game translates to the next level, his Barry Sanders like plays won't happen at the next level. I think if he ends up being a college success he will end up being a Mike Hart type just a 3 or 4 inches shorter.

 

[Katzenboyer]

I like his highlights but I'm not sure how his game translates to the next level, his Barry Sanders like plays won't happen at the next level. I think if he ends up being a college success he will end up being a Mike Hart type just a 3 or 4 inches shorter.

I'd be very happy if he ended up like Mike Hart carrying the rock for ND the next four years.