A freshman that PRZMN is well-familiar with – both on the gridiron and in a camp setting – Brooklyn Center’s Gavin Thomas started his Session 1 performance off with a bang, clocking a 4.77 on the lasers in the 40. Thomas added a 4.6 shuttle and 9’2 broad to sweeten the pot, and his plethora of varsity experience showed up well during indy and 1v1s, where he displayed smooth and effective stick & plant ability as a RB, notching him near the top of the talented RB group in terms of drill work performance and understanding, and he was also dynamic out of the backfield and a high-quality route runner with soft hands. Kid’s the total package, and did I mention he’s only a freshman?

A freshman who made a splash on varsity last season, Thomas made an impact on both sides of the ball, rushing for 478 yards and 4 TDs while averaging a stunning 9.6 YPC, and amassing 45 total tackles, 7 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, and 1 defensive TD. In his film, Thomas is a workhorse. He’s a powerful runner who possesses surprising speed and never gives up on a play. Multiple times in his film, Thomas is wrapped up, but he keeps churning his legs and manages to break through for a big gain. On defense, he showcases surprising instincts from such a young prospect. He’s quick to disrupt play and flows well to the ball carrier. Thomas also shows off some solid ball skills on both sides of the ball, but his pass coverage for an LB impressed me in particular. Touting a 3.7 GPA and some impressive tape, Thomas could be up next for Brooklyn Center.

Brooklyn Center is loaded with talent, and they unearthed another potential stud in their lineup in Gavin Thomas last season. Thomas stood out in the backfield, rushing for 478 yards on just 50 carries (9.6 YPC) and 4 TDs. He also led the defense in tackles with 45 to go with 7 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and an interception returned for a TD. He also added a 60 yard kick return TD. Don’t be fooled by his size: Thomas is a massive playmaker on the field, proving able to outrun defenders whenever the ball is in his hands, and he’s also proven to be very slippery and difficult to tackle through contact. The future is very bright for Brooklyn Center with all the young talent they have been generating in the last few seasons.