IUFB Pro Day Primer: Tight End Ian Thomas
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Ian Thomas Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)
Ian Thomas joined the Indiana Hoosiers as a JUCO product along with quarterback Richard Lagow. Thomas is a Baltimore, Maryland native. He played tight end at Digital Harbor High School. He also played basketball and ran track and field. Ian Thomas was raised by his older siblings. His parents passed at a young age, and he and his eight siblings were forced to fend for themselves. Thomas persevered through all forms of adversity.
Thomas played tight end for Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York. In 2014, Thomas had four catches, 88 yards, and two touchdowns as a true freshman. Nassau won the conference championship, won the Valley of the Sun Bowl, and finished with a perfect 10-0 record. As a sophomore Thomas was an all-conference selection at tight end. He grabbed 23 receptions for 433 yards and three touchdowns in just eight games. His elite size – 6-foot-5, 250-pounds – prompted ESPN to rank Thomas as the second best junior college in the country in 2015.
Thomas joined the Hoosiers for his final two years of college eligibility. He appeared in all 13 games as a junior, however, the previous coaching staff was notorious for underutilizing the tight end position in the passing game. Two of his three catches came against Utah in the Foster Farms Bowl, when Tom Allen was serving as head coach.
When Tom Allen and the Hoosiers hired Mike DeBord as the new offensive coordinator, the tight end group was expected to step up in a big way. Thomas made the most of his opportunity and increased role in the offense. Thomas developed a fantastic connection with fellow JUCO product, Richard Lagow. The quarterback and tight end connected for 25 catches, 376 yards, and five touchdowns. Not only did Thomas prove he was a serious red zone threat, he also recorded a 71-yard touchdown reception. Thomas used his size to make big time plays.
Thomas was third in the Big Ten among tight ends in touchdowns and fourth in catches per game. He was second on the team in touchdowns and ranked first on yards-per-reception. Thomas was named to the Senior Bowl Watch List and earned the John Mackey Tight End of the Week Award for his performance against Georgia Southern. Thomas missed a few games due to injury, and at times he wasn’t at full strength, but that didn’t stop him from turning in an eye-popping performance. He garnered an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten Team.
Most importantly, Ian Thomas caught the eye of NFL talent evaluators. Some of them still haven’t taken their eyes off Thomas. The raw size, ability, and big-play threat makes Thomas a wildly intriguing pro prospect. Especially during a time when a tight end with elite receiver skills is a staple in NFL offenses, Thomas’ prototype is more sought after than ever before.
Similar to Chris Covington, Thomas has the raw ability, but he lacks in-game experience. Sometimes it’s better to be raw than to have developed bad habits. Thomas hasn’t developed too many bad habits yet, so he could bode well for any NFL team with a need for a playmaking tight end. NFL.com has several informative scouting notes on the future Hoosier pro.
Thomas’ weaknesses are largely technique driven and some are rooted in the blocking game. For example, Thomas is noted to struggle as a ‘wham blocker’ or against split-zone defenses. He is inconsistent in identifying his blocking target, and like all of his peers, he’ll need to beef up his frame. Due to his lack of experience, Thomas’s route-running ability is not yet refined. He will require time to learn to be a professional tight end, but he is certainly not lacking on talent. Thomas is a stellar individual and he can make up for his inexperience with raw ability.
Thomas is obsessed with football and he already has an NFL-ready physique. He is also extremely athletic. He is a physical route runner who can gain separation on defenders in the passing game. According to NFL scouts, Ian Thomas’ blocking ability dramatically increased throughout his senior year. He had a fantastic performance at the NFL Combine. He participated in five different drills, posting some impressive scores. His 4.74-second 40-yard dash was ranked sixth-fastest. Thomas’ vertical jump of 36 inches ranked third, his broad jump ranked second, as did his 20-yard shuttle run.
Thomas impressed at nearly every NFL Combine. Scouts love him as an impressive, raw prospect. Thomas is a matchup nightmare and he can make opponents pay in goal line formation and down the field. Ian Thomas’ career as a Hoosier was brief but bright. He will almost undoubtedly make an impact at the next level. He is projected to be drafted in the second or third round of the NFL Draft. Hoosier fans are rooting for Ian Thomas to succeed in the pros.
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