Linebacker Robert Thomas V played baseball until giving football a try as a junior and believes the gridiron is his future.
“I have a better chance at it,” Thomas said. “I am just more athletic at it than I am baseball.”
Thomas, 6-0, 220 pounds of Cedar Hill, Texas took part in Arkansas’ three-day that ended on Tuesday. He showed good athleticism during the camp and was singled out a few times by linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves.
“It was an amazing experience, learned new things to perfect my craft and overall just had a blast with my friends and got to meet new people,” said Thomas, who has a scholarship offer from Oauchita Baptist.
His father, Robert Thomas, IV played at Jacksonville before going on to star at Henderson State. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent and played fullback and helped paved the way for Emmitt Smith for five seasons.
“I think he is developing really well especially for him to be so raw and so young at this,” the elder Thomas said. “I have been teaching him the mental side of the game all his life because I love football.”
Hargreaves pushed the campers, including Thomas.
“He might have pushed me a little bit, I might have gotten a little bit mad, but I tool it personal and got my craft better,” Thomas said. “He is an excellent coach for me.”
Thomas IV said colleges will see a prospect that embraces coaching.
“He is a sponge, he is very athletic and that’s what I was hoping for, to see his athleticism take over,” Thomas said. “Then the coaches can take over and mold him into whatever they need him to be.”