Interview with Fort Smith Northside CB Louisiana Tech commit Kiondre Thomas

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Life on the gridiron for Class of 2016 cornerback Kiondre Thomas has been both good and frustrating throughout the season. The Grizzlies have started 1-4 on the season with some injuries at key positions holding the team back. The good news is everyone is healthy and the Fort Smith Northside squad has five games left to make a run at the Arkansas High School Playoffs.

As for action for Thomas on the field – well business has been slow. Few teams dare test the 6’0”, 174 pound, cover corner in the passing game. Teams have tried to slow his down by running his way but that has not worked out well for the opposition either. The best Thomas can do is continue to shut down the wide receiver opposite of him play after play, something he is very good at doing.

The lack of statistics during his senior year is not all that bad. The Fort Smith area native committed to Louisiana Tech on May 18, setting his path forward. Other teams have offered the two-way talent including Arkansas State, Minnesota, Eastern Illinois, Missouri State, Mississippi State, and Tulsa. Thomas has continued interest from a lot of schools including Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Utah State, and TCU.

Before Thomas’ game against Rogers Heritage (Rogers, AR), I sat down with Thomas for a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview getting his thoughts on the season to date, the chances the Grizzlies make the Arkansas High School Playoffs, and received an update on the schools pushing to flip him.

Interview

Kiondre, I know the season has not gone as planned thus far at 1-4, but do you think you guys will still make the playoffs?

“Yes sir, we’ll make the playoffs, we should go on a three-game winning streak. I think we can make the playoffs.”

Is there something that has held the team back early in the season but will change or is in the process of changing going down the back stretch of the schedule?

“We’ve had a lot of injuries in the secondary. We’ve had to switch guys in and out. We’ve had to play a lot of young guys and we are just now getting back to being healthy. Our quarterback, it is his first year starting. I’ve been the only experienced player in the secondary out there.”

How has the season gone for you personally on the field at manning your position?

“I’m trying my best. I haven’t been thrown at in about two weeks now. I’m trying to get some stats but it’s hard. Offensively, I can’t remember, but I think I have two rushing touchdowns off eight carries for 176 yards. Something like that. I really haven’t been looking at stats this year.”

You worked hard in the offseason to prepare for your senior year, how are you progressing as a corner this season?

“I’m more physical in run support. I shed off the block and throw the receiver out of the way and come up to get the running back. I guess I’m progressing as a cornerback. I can’t really tell if I’m progressing because they’re not throwing the ball my way. I feel like all of that hard work in off-season is paying off because if they wanted to throw my way the receiver ain’t getting open.”

You guys have three games left on the schedule, are you excited to play any of those games over the others?

“I’m excited to play against Southside (Fort Smith) and Har-Ber (Springdale). Those are two games I’m looking forward to playing.”

For those people out there that have never attended a Southside verses Northside game, what is the atmosphere of the game like?

“Southside, they are on a 10-game win streak against us. The atmosphere is really good. It’s just a great experience throughout the whole game. Southside has been beating us the last couple of years, this year it’ll turn around.”

You committed to Louisiana Tech fairly early, are there any schools making a really hard push to get you right now?

“I’m staying with Louisiana Tech but Minnesota is really catching my eye. I’m taking an official visit there on Halloween.”

When do you go to Louisiana Tech for your official visit?

“They haven’t said yet. I know all of the commits are supposed to go sometime in January but they haven’t put out the date yet.”

Are there any other schools showing interest in you right now?

“Arkansas and Oklahoma State, they haven’t offered but they are still showing strong interest.”

Do you have any unofficial visits set up?

“I have not gone on an unofficial since the summer. The last one I went on was to Arkansas. I was supposed to go to Louisiana Tech for their first game but I could not make the trip.”

Are you helping recruit any players to Louisiana Tech to join you?

“I was at first but then they got all the guys I was talking to. I can try but I think a lot of guys are waiting until National Signing Day to commit.”

I always like to find out how things are going in the classroom. How is everything going for you so far with the books?

“As of right now I have A’s and B’s. Not sure what my overall GPA is.”

Kiondre, thanks for your time today. Good luck over your last three games.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: John Davis Photography; No. 10 Kiondre Thomas.

Photo credit: John Davis Photography; No. 10 Kiondre Thomas.