April 26, 2008

Devin Thomas 2007 Highlights

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State wide receiver Devin Thomas, who set Spartan single-season records for receptions (79), 100-yard receiving games (7), kickoff return yards (1,135) and all-purpose yards (2,590), has been selected by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2008 National Football League Draft Saturday, April 26. Thomas became the third pick in the second round and the No. 34 selection overall.

Thomas was the top-ranked receiver in the 2008 NFL Draft by both ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Scouts Inc.'s Todd McShay.

The 6-2, 218-pound Thomas, who elected to forgo his senior season, led the Big Ten in kickoff returns (29.1 avg.) and all-purpose yards (199.2 yards per game) in 2007 while ranking second in both receptions (6.08 rpg.) and receiving yards (96.9 ypg.). In addition, Thomas finished among the NCAA leaders in all four of those categories: No. 6 in all-purpose yards, No. 11 in kickoff returns, No. 15 in receiving yards and No. 34 (tied) in receptions.

His 1,135 kickoff return yards rank as the top single-season total in Big Ten history, and his 1,260 receiving yards represent the third-best single-season total in school history.

Fifty-two of his 79 receptions (66 percent) resulted in either a TD or a first down, including 21 gains of 20 yards or more.

"Devin Thomas is a complete football player," MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. "Devin had a breakout season, accounting for nearly 2,600 all-purpose yards. Every week, we had to find a way to get him the ball 15-20 times. Devin became a go-to guy because he could make plays as a receiver, a runner and a kick returner. He was a physical receiver and a physical blocker, who always gave great effort. Devin was a true gamer, playing his best in the big games. He was simply one of the best football players in America last season. He reminds me a lot of (former Spartan) Muhsin Muhammad.

"It's been a crazy, but exciting day," Thomas said. "I'm excited about having the opportunity to play for a great organization, like the Washington Redskins. I'm grateful that I was Washington's first selection in this year's draft.

"I know that it's a huge step, playing at the pro level, but I'm ready to prove myself. I did take note of all the teams that passed on me because I enjoy playing the game with a chip on my shoulder. I'm ready to go to work and showcase my talents."

The Ann Arbor, Mich., native accounted for 220 all-purpose yards against Boston College in the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl. It marked the seventh time of the season that Thomas amassed more than 200 all-purpose yards in a game. He returned five kickoffs for a Spartan bowl-record 178 yards. Thomas returned the opening kickoff 79 yards to set the Big Ten single-season record for return yards, breaking the mark previously held by Purdue's Dorien Bryant (36 returns for 1,007 yards in 2007). He also had four catches for 34 yards against BC, including a 23-yard reception from Brian Hoyer that set up MSU's fourth-quarter TD.

Thomas caught seven passes for 139 yards and three scores as MSU rallied from a 17-point third-quarter deficit for a 35-31 victory over Penn State in the regular-season finale. Thomas scored on passes of 12, 33 and 26 yards from Hoyer. His three touchdown grabs tied the school single-game record. He accounted for 236 all-purpose yards against the Nittany Lions.

With 116 receiving yards (10 catches) at Purdue, Thomas became just the fourth 1,000-yard receiver in Spartan history, joining Courtney Hawkins (1989), Plaxico Burress (1998-99) and Charles Rogers (2001-02). His 30-yard reception from Hoyer in the first quarter set up MSU's first TD. With 111 all-purpose yards against the Boilermakers, Thomas established a Spartan single-season record with 2,134 all-purpose yards, breaking the mark previously held by Lorenzo White (2,094 yards in 1985).

Thomas had a team-high seven receptions for 65 yards against No. 15 Michigan.

He had nine catches for 139 yards in a 34-27 double-overtime loss at Iowa. His 40-yard reception from Hoyer on a third-and-16 play in the final minute of regulation set up Brett Swenson's 29-yard field goal that sent the game into overtime tied at 20. Thomas accounted for 230 all-purpose yards against the Hawkeyes (2 rushes for 6 yards and 3 kickoff returns for 85 yards). It marked the fifth time of the season that Thomas amassed more than 200 all-purpose yards.

Against top-ranked Ohio State, Thomas caught four passes for 77 yards, including a 40-yard reception from Hoyer late in the fourth quarter that led to a field goal.

Thomas had a career-best 13 receptions for 148 yards and a TD in MSU's 52-27 Homecoming victory over Indiana. His 13 receptions tied the second-best single-game total in Spartan history (Plaxico Burress, 13 vs. Florida in 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl). Thomas scored on a 34-yard grab from Hoyer early in the third quarter as MSU extended its lead to 31-13. He returned three kickoffs for 92 yards (30.7 avg.), including a 42-yard runback in the first quarter that set up Javon Ringer's first TD run. Thomas produced 254 all-purpose yards against the Hoosiers.

Thomas accounted for a career-best 266 all-purpose yards in MSU's 48-41 overtime loss to Northwestern. He returned three kickoffs for 143 yards - the ninth-best single-game total in MSU history. His career-long 70-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter set up a Spartan TD that tied the score at 41. Thomas also had five catches for 61 yards and six rushes for 52 yards.

He caught four passes for 111 yards at ninth-ranked Wisconsin. Midway through the second quarter, Thomas turned a screen pass from Hoyer into an 80-yard scoring play as the Spartans tied the game at 21. He accounted for 230 all-purpose yards against the Badgers, rushing five times for 61 yards and returning three kickoffs for 58 yards.

Thomas accounted for 153 all-purpose yards in Michigan State's 31-14 victory at Notre Dame. He had a game-high four catches for 55 yards, including a 7-yard TD grab from Hoyer that tied the score at 7 midway through the first quarter. His 25-yard reception on a third-and-7 play kept the Spartans' first scoring drive alive. Thomas returned the second-half kickoff 52 yards to the Notre Dame 45 to help set up MSU's third touchdown.

Thomas had four receptions for a career-best 156 yards and a touchdown in MSU's 28-17 victory over Bowling Green. It marked his second-straight 100-yard receiving game. His 76-yard reception from Hoyer in the first quarter set up MSU's first touchdown. His 42-yard catch in the third quarter set up Jehuu Caulcrick's 5-yard TD run, which gave MSU the lead for good at 21-14. Thomas scored on a 17-yard TD grab from Hoyer early in the four quarter. Thomas accounted for 261 all-purpose yards against Bowling Green. In addition to his 156 receiving yards, he returned three kickoffs for 100 yards, including a 39-yard runback, and rushed twice for 5 yards.

Thomas posted the first 100-yard receiving game of his career against UAB, with a career-best five catches for 106 yards including a 44-yard touchdown grab from Hoyer early in the second quarter. Four of his five receptions resulted in either a first down or a TD against the Blazers.

What They're Saying About Devin Thomas . . .
Washington Redskin head coach Jim Zorn:
"I like his speed and his size. I like the fact that he can run after he catches the ball. He averaged 29.1 yards per kickoff return and he had 79 catches in 2007. He is a young player with a lot of upside. He doesn't have injury problems coming out of college. With Devin, it is going to be how well he can pick up the offense, a whole different language, but his athleticism is right there. We just need to develop him.

"Guys develop at different times in their lives and I think that is what happened. Probably in spring ball last year, (MSU coaching staff) they saw who they really had. He started really coming on in spring ball and they started throwing him the ball, and he came through from them in 2007. That is the kind of athlete he was, and some guys develop a little bit later than others.

"What you see on video as well is that he is willing to get off his feet to go get a ball. He can track it down. He also is physical and doesn't shy away from contact. Devin was in there playing a physical ballgame against the competition that he was playing against last year. Those are the things that we saw as well that we really liked."

Washington Redskin Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato:
"Against Indiana, Devin had a huge game and then in the Wisconsin game, you see him catch a little bubble pass and out run everybody to the sideline, then breaks it back and he out runs everybody to the end zone. Any time the ball was thrown to him, he made plays. I don't know that there was one game, but I think it was just a combination of everything that led up to it (his selection) because you saw him to so many different things. He can make the big plays, catch the ball short and can play physical."