Interview: Massive 2019 Washington OT Cole Thomas Working on Unlimited Potential

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The state of Washington seemingly has a knack for turning out very talented Division-I offensive line prospects year after year. Since the 2015 recruiting class, the Evergreen State has seen Shane Lemieux (Oregon), Henry Roberts (Washington), Trey Adams (Washington), Calvin Throckmorton (Oregon), Dontae Powell (Washington State), Henry Bainivalu (Washington), and Foster Sarell (Stanford). Another in-state talent that could be heading towards the four-star status of Henry Bainvalu or the five-star ranking of Foster Sarell is Class of 2019 left tackle Cole Thomas.

Potential is what one makes of it and Thomas seemingly has it all. The sophomore stands a towering 6-7.5 and weighs in at 300 pounds and appears to have the right mindset and determination going forward to be one of the best. If his sophomore season with Bishop Blanchet High School is any indication, a lot of college programs will be making their way up to Seattle over the next two years in hopes of swaying him to their program.

The interest in Thomas is already there even though Thomas is still a work in progress. For his size and age, college coaches already see the next level potential to be that cornerstone piece on the line protecting his quarterback’s blindside while blowing open holes in the run game. Thomas has that nasty streak in him to punish the opposition throwing upperclassmen around like ragdolls already. The teams taking an early interest in Thomas includes Washington, Arizona, UCLA, Boise State, Arizona State, Baylor, and Washington State.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in the 2019 class covering his 2016 season, off-season goals, and recruitment to date.

Interview

Cole, when did you make the varsity squad?

“This year. I was at Bellevue last year and transferred to Bishop Blanchet this year. I transferred in and went out for the football team making the varsity squad. I was there for the summer and fall camp. They liked what they saw.”

What type of offense do the Braves run?

“We run a spread offense that is 50-50 run-pass. We run early to see what the other team is doing and then spread them out. We had a QB rotation last season. One QB was a runner and the other one was more of a pocket passer. He’s a baseball player, big canon for an arm.

“In the spread I have to be great at run and pass blocking. I have to get the defensive end on the edge and go down to get the defensive tackle on run plays. Our offense has been great for developing my skills as an all-around player. Our offense was designed by our coach. It is a lot like the Oregon offense. We practice “speed boat” for tempo wanting to snap within 25 seconds of the previous play. We are a well-conditioned offense. We wear the defense down in the third and fourth quarter.”

How often does the team run left?

(Laughs) “We like to run left, but it depends where we are on the field. Two days away from our first game my coach said the first play of the season will be a run off the left guard and tackle. It actually went the other way (laughs). We also have a great right tackle. We get great push on the right side. I love it when they run left. We have guys on both sides that can run and pass block.”

Have you had a defender ask you to take it easy on him yet?

“Honestly I have not. In a few games, after I’ve been beating up on a guy, they’ll say ‘wow you are good’ or ‘wow you are big.’ If they did ask for me to go easy on them I would finish him. If he does ask, I’ll keep it up. Hopefully I will trash a guy so bad he will ask and I’ll still finish him off.”

Who is the toughest defender you have gone up against so far?

“That is a great question. We are in a great league (3A Metro-Mountain) and played against guys like Hunter Gossman from Lakeside. He is a great defender. We would talk to one another between the breaks giving kudos to one another. It was nice to work on my skills against him. I’m a guy that likes to critique myself. He showed me what I was doing well and what I needed to do better. He was a fantastic player.

“Will Vea, No. 55 at Eastside Catholic, I did not know he was a sophomore. He’s a big (6-3, 270) strong kid. He was fast too and had great hand work. That whole defensive line was great. They are a big powerhouse year in and year out. It was great to sharpen my skills against them.”

What are you working on this off-season?

“The big thing for me is jumpng rope and footwork ladders. It is important to have quick feet to get the first step off the ball and for getting to linebackers. It is important to do core work. You gotta have a strong core. That strengthens your back, glutes, and hamstrings too.”

What are you working on from a technical aspect with your game?

“I’m working on my kick slide. We do not do that often but it is good to have especially if I am developing to a D-I player. My punch. I am developing that. The first is to shock them and slow them down and the second one is to push them away and knock them on their butt. My pad level on run blocking is something I am working on. I am up higher than most guys because I am tall. I have to get lower. I’m working on my leg strength that will help me too. Low man wins in football.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“The school showing the most is Washington State. I am heading out to their Junior Day on April 1. I have talked to their line coaches a few times. They seem like great developers of talent. I want to do something in journalism. I want to be a sports writer. Going into writing interests me. Washington State has a great journalism program.

“TCU – I am heading out to visit them this weekend. Washington, where my dad played, I have visited them for game days and spring practices. USC and UCLA – I was down there two weekends ago. I got to see the campus and the facilities there. Both schools were really nice. I talked to their coaches and got an inside look at their programs. Both expressed interest in me. They asked me to send them film and to keep up on my grades. If I keep sending them info they will continue to evaluate me. I visited both Arizona schools during my freshman year. I’m trying to keep in contact with them as well.”

What has you excited about your upcoming visit to TCU?

“I’m going to TCU because I am attending the Nike Regional in Dallas this weekend. My sister lives there. That’s why we are going there. Football there is like a religion in the South. I am excited to go against the best of the best in the country there.”

What other camps might you attend this off-season?

“I’m looking to attend some local camps like Washington and Washington State and maybe some satellite camps.”

What is your goal with all of the camps you may attend?

“As an offensive lineman I know it takes time. I can grow and put on another 30 pounds. I can develop so much more with my game than a skill position player because of my size. I’m praying and hope I impress some people on the camp circuit this summer. I’m ready to work hard. All I need is one offer. I would love to be a four-star with all the followers on Twitter and all of the offers, but all you need is one offer to make your dreams come true.”

Well said. Are you playing any other sports?

“No, sir. Football is my passion. I don’t want to risk getting hurt playing another sport that is not my passion. Football is my focus.”

Favorite subject in school?

“I really like English class. We’ve written a lot of papers this year, some personal narrative stuff. I’m trying to take a journalism class next year. I want to major in journalism in college. I really enjoy history. I’m in a World History class covering the Crusades and the Black Plague. I’m trying to take an AP History class next year.”

What personal goals have you set for yourself for the off-season and for your junior year on the field?

“My personal goals for the off-season – by football season I want to rep 300 pounds three times on bench. I want to be that guy on the field when it is fourth down and three and we are down in the fourth quarter that my coach knows they can run behind me in crunch time to get the yards needed. I want that trust with my coaches. Team goals are important – it is a team game. Our goal is to work hard and make the playoffs. We want to beat our rival Seattle Prep. That is a great rivalry. We look forward to playing them every year.”

Cole, thanks for your time today and good luck at TCU and with the Nike Camp.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Thomas family; Cole Thomas at UCLA (Feb. 2017).

Photo credit: scout.com; No. 68 Cole Thomas pre-snap (2016).

Photo credit: Thomas family; Cole Thomas at Washington (2016).