Ten minutes with Showcase MVP – Deontae Thomas

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His skills as a wide receiver were undoubtedly the main reason [player_tooltip player_id='1248627' first='Deontae' last='Thomas'] was selected as the Minnesota Showcase wide receiver MVP last week. However, if you think the junior can be confined to one position, you would be mistaken. He not only put in some time at defensive back during the showcase, but last season, he played all over the field for the Brooklyn Center Centaurs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An off-season injury could have put Thomas off his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"When I first got (to the showcase), I was a little nervous. There were some big-time players there. I hurt my leg a little bit and hadn't practiced football since January. I felt (Saturday) was smooth. I slipped a couple of times in the L drill, but I had a broad jump of 9 ' 5, so I thought that was pretty decent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearly, it didn't take long to brush off the rust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"During the one-on-ones, I played a little corner, too," Thomas said. "I think I won most of my reps."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After being forced off the field earlier in the off-season, Thomas had a clear agenda in Plymouth, Minnesota, last Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Since I haven't practiced football in a while, I wanted to see where I was at in my class and see the competition I was going against. I just wanted to get back in it."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas' offseason should continue to ramp up from here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I am starting track (this) week. I am going to run the 100 and 200. I have mostly been in the weight room."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The limited time he has been able to work on his football skills has been focused on his lower half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I have been working on my footwork and route running," Thomas told prepredzone.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those skills will be essential if he is going to be successful in the multiple roles he expects to play as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Last year, I played all over. My main position was safety, but throughout the game, I would play tight end, wide receiver, slot receiver, and cornerback."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spending time on varsity from a young age has helped Thomas evolve into the utility infielder type of player he has become for the Centaurs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We have had basically the same playbook since ninth or tenth grade," Thomas explained. "I played slot and corner in ninth grade. In tenth grade, I played tight end and safety. This year, I played all those positions."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas feels his height and ability to go up and get the ball separate him on the offensive side. On defense, he highlighted his awareness and footwork as his primary strengths – all skills he put on display, earning him the MVP medallion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Showcase numbers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>40-yard dash – 5.09</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shuttle – 4.72</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broad jump – 9'4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>L-Drill – 7.97</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->