Interview: Arkansas 2017 ATH Monta Thomas Standing Out as Dynamic Playmaker

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The state of Arkansas has a lot of outstanding next level talent coming through in the 2017 recruiting class. A lot of attention has been given to some of the players making a name for themselves at the bigger in-state high schools but one still kind of flying under the radar, especially on the nation level, is Hermitage High School do-everything athlete Monta Thomas.

Thomas was an absolute beast for Hermitage playing his way onto the first team All-State list as a wide receiver after making All-Conference as a sophomore. The reality is, Thomas could have been All-Conference and/or All-State at a number of positions. Lining up as a Wildcat quarterback, he passed for 418 yards completing 17 of 42 passes with three touchdowns tossed. With everyone knowing he’s getting the ball play after play, he still averaged 8.1 yards per carry off 129 touches covering 1,049 yards with 17 scores. On special teams he had 173 kick return yards off just three attempts and had another 125 yards as a punt returner only able to attempt five punt runbacks.

On defense, Thomas continued his playmaker status coming up with 23 tackles, 13 solo, with two picks and two tackles for a loss. The position where he earned All-State, at wide receiver, he had 28 receptions for 448 yards with eight more scores.

The all-purpose athlete truly has it all – size, listed at 6’0”, 197, speed, ran a 4.4-flat at an Arkansas camp last summer, and the stats to back it up. The offers have not started rolling in yet but the interest is building. Georgia, Ole Miss, and Louisiana Tech along with in-state Division-I programs Arkansas and Arkansas State are showing various levels of interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Thomas after a workout covering his outstanding junior season, his offseason schedule, and found out which schools are starting the recruiting process with one of the Natural State’s best 2017 players.

Interview

Monta, you played so many different positions last season. Which position or positions are the spots you like best?

“Running back or wide receiver. Those two positions I like the best and I think I am the best at playing.”

What are some of the things that you do well carrying the ball out of the backfield?

“I have good field vision. I can see holes opening up and I hit holes fast. I have good breakaway speed. I can make contact if I need to and fall forward for extra yards.”

What about at wide receiver? What are some of the skill sets you have there that make you dangerous?

“I run good routes. I have good fakes that make defenders bite to help get me open.”

The times when the other team did kick to you, what makes you dangerous as a return specialist?

“Most folks around here, they try to dive after my legs. I juke them and run away. I’m fast. I make good cuts, see things opening up, and I’m gone.”

Will you play quarterback again next season?

“Yes sir. I’m the starting quarterback.”

Are you excited about playing quarterback again?

“Yes. We got a new head coach today (Wednesday). A lot of stuff that happened last year will be better this year. It should be better and interesting for us next season.”

Who is the new head coach?

“Chase Ellis. He’s coming over from Warren, Arkansas.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“I want to win a state championship and win MVP. I think that’s everybody’s dream.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for a state title run?

“I’m working on my footwork and getting stronger. I’m doing bench, power clean, and squats.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?

“In Fayetteville (Univ. of Arkansas), I ran a 4.4-flat.”

What that at an Arkansas camp?

“Yes sir, last summer.”

What did the coaches say after you burned a 4.4-flat on the turf?

“They didn’t say much. Coach (Barry) Lunney, he had been talking to me before the camp, said, “I knew you were fast but not that fast.”

What camps are you going to this offseason?

“I’m going to Fayetteville, back to Georgia, and I went to Dallas last week. I’m going to a Rivals coming up.”

Did you test at the Nike camp?

“Yes sir. It was a good camp. A lot of fun and there were a lot of people there.”

What was your SPARQ score?

“I think it was 105.87. I don’t have my card with me.”

*SPARQ score not posted on Nike camp site

Which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“That I know of right now, Fayetteville, they are showing the most interest, Memphis and Arkansas State are also showing interest.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“My sophomore year I went to Fayetteville. I’m going up there soon for their spring game.”

Are you excited?

“Yes sir!”

What other sports are you playing for Hermitage?

“Baseball and basketball.”

Which positions do you play in baseball?

“I pitch, play shortstop, and I back catch.”

I have not heard someone call catching back catch in about 20-30 years. I like that. How has the baseball season gone for you so far?

“It’s been raining a lot. We’ve only played one game. All the other games have been cancelled. We were supposed to have a game on Monday and Tuesday but could not play. We’re supposed to play on Thursday but that game has been called because our field is really wet.”

How did your basketball season go?

“My stat line from my last game was 32 points, 4 assists, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 4 steals.”

Impressive. Do you know your stat line from the season?

“I think I averaged around 20 points a game. I’m not sure.”

Have they released the All-State teams yet for basketball?

“No.”

Do you mind sharing what your GPA was last semester?

“I had a 3.0.”

Have you taken your ACT or SAT yet?

“I took the ACT on March 1. I should know my score in a week or two.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“It’s a run between math and English.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I like playing football because of the crowd, the momentum they give you. I like playing with my friends. I like playing together as a team.”

Monta, thanks for your time today. Good luck at your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: sports.yahoo.com; Monta Thomas at an Arkansas camp.

Photo credit: swtimes.com; No. 4 Monta Thomas tracks down a ball carrier.