Georgia 2025 CB/ATH Kevin Thomas Jr. ready to showcase skills on college camp circuit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When the Friday night lights turned on for Hebron Christian Academy last season, fans in the Dacula (Ga.) stands didn’t go long without hearing the PA announcer call No. 2’s number. Showing off the athletic skills for the Lions at corner and receiver Kevin Thomas Jr. (5-11, 170) started putting his name on college football recruiting boards.
A standout on the Lions’ track team running the 200, 4×2, and 4×1, Thomas shared his offseason focus.
“I’ve been working on my off-man technique, man-press, and my speed,” Thomas said.
Hebron will use Thomas all over the field again this season.
“I’m playing both ways, as a starting shutdown corner, I will play a lot of offense at receiver, and I will return kicks,” Thomas stated.
The focus for Thomas heading to the next level is at cornerback; the Lions will further showcase Thomas’ cover skills during the new season.
“Last year we were mainly in Cover 3, unless the other team had a top receiver then he was my assignment to play man on man,” Thomas shared. “This year we will do more press coverage and multiple coverages. As my coach says, athletes will show they are athletes.”
When college scouts turn on Thomas’ film comparing the 2022 season to now, they will notice a big difference.
“I have gotten bigger,” Thomas said. “I am 18 pounds heavier than last season, stronger, taller, and faster.”
The changes in physique and being on the Lions’ state 4×2 relay team is drawing more recruiting attention.
“Wake Forest has come by my school, Georgia Tech, BYU, Miami-Ohio, Georgia State, and Clemson have all come by,” Thomas stated. “UAB and Georgia Southern have also shown interest.”
Kevin Thomas Jr. at Georgia Southern.
Spring trips were taken to Georgia State, UAB, and Georgia Southern; Thomas broke down each visit.
Georgia State: “I attended a practice, met some of the players and met their DB coach. They want me to come to a camp this summer. It went well.”
Georgia Southern: “That visit went very well. That was my second time going there for one of their spring games. I like coach Kevin Whitley (CB). I get a great feeling there. My dad loves the campus and the environment, and so do I. That was a great experience.”
UAB: “That went very well. That was my first time going there. I had a great experience at their spring game. Coach Kenneth Gilstrap, their DB coach, invited me up. Coach Gilstrap loves my size. He is excited for me to come back for a camp. When I was there, I saw where I fit in with their DBs. He said we don’t care about height, if you can play, you can play. It was a very positive visit.”
College coaches in the region will get a good look at Thomas this summer.
“I am going to UAB’s camp, Georgia Southern, Wake Forest, Mercer’s Mega Camp, and Clemson; that’s a three-day camp,” Thomas stated.
Thomas closed out the 2022 season with 35 tackles, three tackles for a loss, four picks, and 11 passes broken up on defense. Adding to the stat sheet, he hauled in 17 passes for w250 yards with three touchdowns and returned eight kicks for 119 yards.