College coaches getting to see big Mississippi 2024 OT Ty Thomas at camps
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Offensive coordinators and o-line coaches may not own up to it, but when they see a towering lineman with mass walk onto the field for a camp, they get a little giddy with an extra spring in their step. Every program needs and wants that cornerstone offensive tackle, Ty Thomas (6-7, 285) is making the rounds this summer to prove to next level scouts that he is that guy.
There’s plenty of film on the 2024 Lamar High School lineman roughing up and working over Mississippi defenders from last fall. His Meridan area program will give a new look on offense this fall.
“We have a new coaching staff,” Thomas said. “We did do a lot of run-midzone stuff last year, I feel like we are changing it up. This year we will have zone reads with everything running out of the shotgun. Our team lost a good amount of seniors, we have more people playing multiple positions this year.”
Teams will get to see more of Thomas’ athleticism on defense.
“I am starting at left tackle, but on defense I have been working as a d-lineman in practice,” Thomas stated. “They mainly have me at nose guard and sometimes at defensive tackle.”
Taking his game to that next level is part of Thomas’ offseason goals.
“I like doing pass-setting more than run blocking,” Thomas shared. “I feel that I am better at kick stepping, staying back, getting my hand on the guy, and throwing him down. I have been working on run blocking and working on getting faster.
“At the Mississippi State camp, I got a 5.9 (40-yard dash) and then a 5.8. I still need to get a little faster. I have been working on my punch. We got a new o-line coach; we do so many punching drills, we have to get our wrists taped for practice.”
After camping in Starkville and at Milsap, recruiting is picking up.
“Central Arkansas, Arkansas State, and local junior colleges like East Central are showing interest; Holmes offered me,” Thomas stated. “UCA pulled me out of class twice to come talk to me.”
Punishing campers in Starkville got Thomas an invite to come back.
“It went really well,” Thomas said. “That is where I met the Arkansas State coach. During the one-on-ones drill, I pancaked a guy. I met coach (Zach) Arnett; my mom was freaking out, she’s a big State fan.”
Thomas continued, “They said they wanted to invite me back to another camp.”
Upcoming set camp stops includes Southern Miss on Saturday, Auburn on June 15, and a camp at East Central next Thursday.