Originally posted by Overkill:
Originally posted by gilwankel:
Originally posted by TX9R:
Originally posted by gilwankel:
Sounds like Thomas is returning to Texas next year.
Where are you hearing that, I haven't heard of him saying anything. Regardless, I'll wait until after the NCG to see what he says. We thought VY was coming back to before that game. If Thomas goes off, and against that QB he easily could pick off a few, score a TD, it's bye bye Earl.
Yeah who knows what he will do but OTC quoted this in another thread:
Quote:
Texas safety Earl Thomas will return for his junior season next year and not leave early for the NFL, he said Tuesday night. Thomas, who is a third-year sophomore and therefore eligible for the NFL draft, said he hadn’t given the idea any thought because he and his teammates are focused on the Big 12 football championship game against Nebraska on Saturday. He was voted to the All-Big 12 first team by the league coaches on Tuesday. Asked he was planning on coming back next year, Thomas said, “Yes, sir.” Asked if he thought another collegiate season would help him prepare for the next level, he said, “Yes, sir.” Thomas said he has not discussed any NFL plans with either his position coach, Duane Akina, or Mack Brown, but the head coach said the Texas staff files the paperwork to determine the draft value of all the Longhorn players who are eligible for the draft. - Kirk Bohls, The Austin American-Statesman
Here's the only thing I've seen. LINK
But there's plenty of time for him to change his mind...
Oh, he's coming out all right:
http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/12/09/texas-could-lose-earl-thomas-to-nfl/
Although Thomas said last week that he planned to return next season, he changed his tune Wednesday night after arriving in Orlando for Thursday's College Football Awards show.
He is one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the best defensive back in college football. The other finalists are Eric Berry of Tennessee and Joe Haden of Florida.
Thomas is a third-year sophomore, who is draft eligible and finishing a better-than-expected season that has propelled him up the mock draft boards.
"Obviously, you come to college to put yourself in position to make money. If I'm projected (in the draft) where I want to be projected, I'll go forward and try to play on Sundays (in the NFL),'' he said. "I'll just have to see how my grade report comes back. Yes, I'm hearing good things.''
The status of Thomas has been rising in the last few weeks, and he has been projected as a late first-round pick on some of the draft boards.
He said Wednesday that a first-round projection likely would prompt him to leave school. He also said a second-round or later projection likely would keep him in school another year.
The loss of Thomas would be blow to the defense plans of the Longhorns and somewhat of a surprise to the coaching staff, who had expected him back.
Going into the national championship game, Thomas has recorded 71 tackles and eight interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns. Scouts have projected him at both safety and cornerback.
"Everyone wants to leave on top, and we've got the chance to do that now. We're ready for the big stage,'' he said. "I don't have any doubts that I can succeed (in the NFL). It's just about where I would fall in the equation. It's not something I really want to talk about now until after the game. But it's out there.''
