4-star QB Justin Thomas Flips from Alabama

by LilBroey700 on Dec 17, 2011 12:05 PM EST

So this past week was finals week, meaning there wasn't a whole lot of time for things that didn't involve studying or contemplating just how badly the professor planned on academically abusing us. Unfortunately I couldn't get this up earlier, but here's a piece on Justin Thomas, a 4-star recruit we nabbed Tuesday night.

QB Justin Thomas had been committed to Alabama for almost a year when he received news from Nick Saban that they had signed another QB in the class, and that Thomas was likely not going to get a shot at QB in the system they run. However, they were really hoping to keep him on as a WR/DB (this kid runs a 40 yard dash in 4.3 seconds, something you'll really notice in the video below). Unfortunately for them, Thomas never had any desire to play anything BUT QB at the college level. Having communicated that from the start, he told Nick Saban that having no shot at QB was a dealbreaker, and thanks but no thanks.

All the time he had been committed to Alabama, Thomas had kept in touch with coaches at Tech, on a "just in case" basis. Well, "just in case" happened, and next thing you know, we have a kid who's going to be a perfect fit for our system wanting to come and don the White and Gold. So who is Justin Thomas?

Thomas is 5'11", 175 lbs, which is a little small for a college athlete, but at the same time it's reasonable to expect he could put on 10-15lbs at Tech to bulk up a little if that's what the coaches wanted. He's from Prattville High School in Prattville, AL (other Tech players from Alabama include Tevin Washington, Orwin Smith, and TJ Barnes). As previously stated, he consistently runs a 4.3 - 40 yard dash. For reference, Calvin Johnson ran a 4.35 at the NFL combine (with almost no preparation, in someone else's shoes, mind you). I'll post the recruiting video below, but from watching that, his speed really is impressive. This kid gives DBs a 6 yard head start and just FLIES past them. He'll be a top-5 speed guy at the NFL combine in a few years if he makes it that far. No reason to think he couldn't be below 4.3 by then which would certainly wow some people.

He seems a lot like the few QBs we've seen under Johnson where throwing is not his strong suit (some passes seemed a little off-target even though receivers adjusted), but he does seem comfortable with it and has a strong arm at the very least. The biggest part of the guy is his running ability though. He ran a spread-option offense in high school (Auburn- or Florida-like....or I guess now Denver Broncos-like) so he has experience reading a defense and making quick decisions. He really just is a spectacle once he has the ball though. Fantastic vision, accelerates very quickly and reaches a high top speed very soon after he starts moving.

Now Tech's recruiting class has 2 solid QB prospects, the other being Dennis Andrews, who we had a piece on late last week. It's going to be real interesting seeing how the situation for the both of them plays out. Who will outcompete the other? Are they willing to redshirt? Will they both end up on the QB depth chart, or will the competition's loser have to move to another position? What if Vad Lee wins 3 Heismans in a row and they never see the field until they're seniors? Time will tell, but one thing's for sure: it's great seeing guys with this much talent wanting to come and play on The Flats again.

#5 - Justin Thomas (QB) 2011 Season Highlight - Prattville High School, AL (via multimediaconversion)

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Comments

I thought Vad Lee was "as good as gone".

I hope not, but it’s out there.

by CraigT on Dec 17, 2011 1:10 PM EST reply actions

At the time that I asked some of the players

They seemed convinced that he would be leaving, but I guess people have been talking him down. I suppose I should not engage in gossip and rumor. Sorry guys.

Go Jackets, go America.
THWG.

by JohnHeisman on Dec 17, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

He's as good as practicing...

and showing prospective recruits (like Darion Monroe) around on their official visits…

"Reach down in there...TURN THAT DAMN THING UP!" - Coach Paul Johnson

by TBuzz on Dec 17, 2011 2:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

That's excellent news

by CraigT on Dec 17, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

As out VP Mr Biden so eloquently said...

This is a big flipping’ deal!

"Reach down in there...TURN THAT DAMN THING UP!" - Coach Paul Johnson

by TBuzz on Dec 17, 2011 2:04 PM EST via mobile reply actions

And, so how were Finals?

Did MA TECH bring out her BIG SHAFT?

You'd do it for Randolph Scott!
RANDOLPH SCOTT!

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Dec 17, 2011 2:11 PM EST reply actions

She always does

by CraigT on Dec 17, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

Sure did

Just hoping it wasn’t big enough to destroy my HOPEs and dreams.

The Church of Paul Johnson - There's not much to it outside of whooping ass and giving haters the finger. To HELL With georgie!

by LilBroey700 on Dec 17, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

Hopefully so. :)

Although I keep hearing rumors that they’re trying to make Tech “kinder and gentler”. I’m like WTF?!?!?!?!

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 17, 2011 9:43 PM EST up reply actions

ummmmm...

there may be more girls, but that’s about it.

Paul Johnson: not giving a crap about what you have to say since 1987.

by GTNate on Dec 18, 2011 1:05 AM EST up reply actions

Off topic

What do y’all think about the “reverse wishbone”?

Sam Houston State looked good with it (and Tim – Barry Sanders – Flynn) last night, and I’m watching GSU run it successfully right now.

Will we see CPJ dip into the Reverse Wishbone salad bowl?

You'd do it for Randolph Scott!
RANDOLPH SCOTT!

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Dec 17, 2011 3:42 PM EST reply actions

Reverse Wishbone?

What is this devilry?

by GT_Jason on Dec 17, 2011 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

My guess

is that it’s like Tech’s offense with the A backs in the backfield, in front of the B back.

by CraigT on Dec 17, 2011 7:23 PM EST up reply actions

Isn't that...

….what Army runs its TO out of? Watching the Army-Navy game this year I saw Navy running from our set and Army running almost exactly the same plays but with its slotbacks pulled back to the backfield (kind of like where our A-backs are after the motion in our fourth down draw-them-offsides play.) I’ve only seen us run plays out of that very rarely, but CPJ once said you can run a triple option out of just about any set (like the Skee-gun), and, conversely, you can run just about any play from the flexbone set because when the motioning A-back is orbiting in the backfield it’s almost an I-formation anyway. This is all relatively new to me, since before 2008 I had never seen triple option football. I like it a lot, though.

by GT_Jason on Dec 18, 2011 7:58 PM EST up reply actions

It's in here somewhere's...

You'd do it for Randolph Scott!
RANDOLPH SCOTT!

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Dec 19, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Inverted Wishbone (Diamond)

http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2011/7/11/2265209/inside-the-clemson-offense-the-wishbone-to-the-inverted-wishbone

by Dive Keep and Pitch on Dec 19, 2011 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks

That was quite helpful. New question: Why do we not place our QB three yards back and run the Option from the pistol? Seems (from reading online in a few places) like those three extra yards add a lot more vision and space to the passing and handoff decisions? Seems like the TO would work pretty well out of that, to me. Is there a good reason why we run it with the QB under center instead of two or three yards back?

by GT_Jason on Dec 19, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

It is the CPJ philosophy

He likes to have the quarterback close to the line so that he can always pick up a yard or two even on a busted play, whereas if he is already three yards deep there is more of a chance of a loss on the play. Also, he assumes that the holes that are opened in his offense are opened quickly but do not always stay open very long so he wants his backs close to the line of scrimmage to take advantage of the timing. The only player that can afford to stay back is the B back since he is running toward a pre-determined hole and it is actually not up to him to read whether it is opening or closing. For Johnson the key to his offense is “staying on schedule” as the pundits like to put it. He would rather get two or three yards on first down than risk losing five on first down, even if the upside potential is to get 25 yards on first down. He just doesn’t want to get behind on yards and downs therefore he wants all of his backs to be in a position to fall forward for either positive yardage or a first down.

by Atlanta's original team on Dec 20, 2011 8:12 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah

I can see that. My next question is why do we not move to visual play-calling and allow the CPJ offense to run no-huddle at breakneck pace? It’s already a tough offense to defend, but when D-lines have us overmatched it seems like wearing them down with pace would raise the chances for breaking long runs. I especially am in favor of debuting this against georgie or in a bowl game. I’m aware that we substitute players a lot, but we could leave them in for half a drive each. Get to the 50 and sub in some fresh legs and then go at a break-neck pace again. I really hope CPJ sees what Oregon and others have done with visual play calling and at least will consider including it when it would be helpful.

by GT_Jason on Dec 20, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

no huddle

CPJ commented on this on a radio show. He said that when he was an offensive coordinator and all he cared about was the offense, he did run some no huddle because it allows the offense to run a lot of plays. However, as a head coach he also sees the impact to the defense who often times don’t get a break because the offense went three-and-out and took all of 45 seconds doing it.

Regarding your point about using no huddle to compensate against a DL that has overmatched the offense. I don’t know about that. It seems to me that if the DL is winning the battles, then it isn’t going make much difference how quickly you line up and snap the ball.

by Dive Keep and Pitch on Dec 20, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

Tech's best defense is controlling the clock on offense.

When the TO works, it is defined by efficiency: three runs, first down, every time. When you combine clock control with the possibility for big plays, the offense is really beautiful. It puts pressure on opposing defenses to maintain mental discipline and physical stamina, and it puts a lot of pressure on opposing offenses to score each time they get the ball.

Speeding the game up might work in spurts (and I bet Johnson practices it), but the no huddle also reduces clock control.

I would like to see Tech go no huddle when it gets a lead and wants to put the game away. One lightening drive could destroy an opponent’s will to resist. But as a method of defeating dominant DLs, I think it’s less likely to work, because a defense just has to stop three plays before it gets off the field.

by first and thom on Dec 20, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

The lightning drive

If you notice, Johnson almost always takes a shot early in the fourth quarter if the game is close and the run game has had some success. He’s going for the effect you’ve mentioned.

by acedarney on Dec 21, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

I guess

I held a misconception that lining up and snapping the ball before the defense can do a check-and-adjust would be advantageous when they already had to try to get into position for a tough offensive play before. I figured it could lead to a better chance of a numbers advantage due to out-of-position defensemen?

by GT_Jason on Dec 20, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

Check and adjust

Since GT uses the base formation most of the time, there isn’t a lot of checking and adjusting to be done by the defense. It’s not like GT is flipping the TE, alternating between empty, one back, and two back sets, or changing from under center to shotgun.

A couple of times this season GT did run a bit of no huddle during the end of the half. It was fairly effective to the extent that the passes were being completed because they ran very little, if at all, during the no huddle.

One thing to consider as well is that on the running plays you are asking the QB to read the defense and make a determination if the play should be run to the left or to the right. If the defense has not set up, then it’s a bit hard to read. That could be an advantage if you wanted to run right and the defense was out of position to the left, but the reverse could also be true where you want to run right but the defense is out of position to the right in which case the defense might inadvertently be in position (and by the time you could audible to the left, the defense would be in position).

I suppose GT could run some sort of hurry-up no huddle version of the offense as a surprise, and it might work the first time or two, but then other teams would catch on and make the adjustments. Going fast isn’t anything special by itself.

by Dive Keep and Pitch on Dec 20, 2011 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

I think that is correct

It takes a little bit of time to read the defense before each play of a triple option so “hurry up” might backfire as often as it might work.

As noted above CPJ has said in the last couple of years that he is intrigued by the “no huddle” and has looked into it. I suspect that for right now at least he is not willing to give up play calling which he might have to do to some of the time to have a true no huddle attack. I think he likes taking the pressure off of his quarterback so that all they have to do is read the play and run it.

by Atlanta's original team on Dec 21, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

I think Tom Osborne had a formation similar to that for the Huskers.

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"Damnation seize my soul if I give you quarters, or take any from you." - Edward Teach

by RjTheMetalhead on Dec 17, 2011 9:31 PM EST up reply actions

Oh nevermind, I was remembering it wrong.

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"Damnation seize my soul if I give you quarters, or take any from you." - Edward Teach

by RjTheMetalhead on Dec 17, 2011 9:35 PM EST up reply actions

You never can have too much speed.

but these 4.3 40 times are so bogusly inflated (or deflated as the case may be). A legit 4.5 is BLAZINGLY fast, but there’s a strong tendency to be slow on the stopwatch to make the times more impressive.

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 17, 2011 9:45 PM EST reply actions

The one thing I read was the word "consistently"

A guy may run a 4.4, but that could mean he’s been clocked at a number of places, between a 4.3 and a 4.5. But seeing that he consistently runs a 4.3 says that a number of trials has given the same result.

The Church of Paul Johnson - There's not much to it outside of whooping ass and giving haters the finger. To HELL With georgie!

by LilBroey700 on Dec 18, 2011 3:51 AM EST up reply actions

I have no doubt the guy's super fast.

And I don’t mean to get this thread sidetracked into a nitpicking technical discussion, but as a long-time track timer and runner, I’m very aware of and familiar with track/running times data. These 4.2 and 4.3 times that get thrown around so casually are totally bogus. The 100m WR holder Usain Bolt MIGHT run something like that. A super fast football player probably runs around a legit 4.5 if timed electronically with FAT. Virtually all football combine type times are hand-timed with stopwatches and there’s a strong tendency to inflate/deflate the numbers to impress people. Okay I’ll stop. :) haha

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 18, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

Good to have your insight

I guess what we can all agree on is that if we are comparing apples and apples then his numbers, whatever inflation or deviation is involved, are consistently on the freakish end when compared to his standard football brethren.

by Atlanta's original team on Dec 18, 2011 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

Haha thanks.. I guess

I really didn’t mean to get this thread sidetracked but it always irks me when I see all these totally unrealistic 40 times bandied about like they were reality. I guess it’s no different than basketball players suddenly getting 3" taller on their official heights.. human nature wanting to be more impressive or something. We had a long discussion on this topic in Bbuzzoff years ago. As I recall, football 40 times also exclude the reaction time, which is usually around 0.3 secs depending on the individual of course. The standard guidance for converting FAT (fully automatic timing) times to hand times is to add 0.24 secs to the hand time for races under 300m. Okay that’s enough. :)

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 19, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

I was not facetious; it is interesting

And my point was simply that we can duly note and be cautious about bandying about those wild numbers but still recognize that when he runs next to other players he does seem to be “of your faster variety.” One of the things I have heard scouts talk about in the past is someone who is “fast in pads.” Some guys look really good being timed in their gym shorts but tend to be slow once they have their full gear on. Other guys run really well when they are dressed out. He seems to.

by Atlanta's original team on Dec 20, 2011 8:18 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks :)

And I totally agree with you about “being fast in pads”. I definitely recall over the years thinking certain players who had blazing fast track times just didn’t seem that fast on the field in full gear, while conversely, other players who had less impressive numbers were lightning fast on the field. I’m sure the extra weight of the equipment and mechanics carrying a ball makes a difference, maybe moreso with some players than others. As I said earlier, The Rocket was probably the fastest player I’ve personally seen even though his track times weren’t all that impressive IIRC.

And just to correct a possible error earlier, I think that the 100m WR holder (and mutant freak) Usain Bolt’s 40 times would be probably more in the 4.1 to 4.2 sec range.

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 20, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

They actually track their 10m interval splits in IAAF and other big meets

and I’ll have to look for the data, just out of curiosity now. :) I think I actually did find the data way back during that Bbuzzoff discussion. And their peak speed is reached around the 60m mark then they gradually slow down, IIRC. I’m not sure about Bolt though…

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 20, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

Okay, I was totally off. O.o

Usain Bolt’s 40m split in his 9.58s 100m WR race was 4.65s, with a reaction time of 0.146s. Wow. So that gives some perspective on the topic.

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 20, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

Well that was 40m not 40yd

So, assuming linearity, his 40yd time would be 4.25s which is about what I figured.

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 20, 2011 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

That's probably why

most NFL teams get their own times, and those times are recorded by the same person for each prospect. That way, only the relative speed is important.

by acedarney on Dec 19, 2011 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

Not to sound all Engineer on you...

but while relative speed is important in distinguishing the measurables between prospects…it is vitally important to understand speed on an “absolute” basis. This is what I think you are getting at.

Absolute speed is the yard stick that allows you to measure and compare prospects between years…and requires the same, consistent process every time. It is what allows you to judge whether a certain class of prospects is “better than average” or not.

"Reach down in there...TURN THAT DAMN THING UP!" - Coach Paul Johnson

by TBuzz on Dec 19, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

Not to sound all Industrial Designer on you...

but some thoughtfully-placed uniform striping is “like, totally proven” to take a tenth off your forty time.

by GT_Jason on Dec 19, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

Red or Orange engine paint

“like, totally proven” to take 0.5 seconds of your Quarter.

You'd do it for Randolph Scott!
RANDOLPH SCOTT!

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Dec 19, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Haha this is why this is a GT site.

You both have valid points. From a pure accuracy standpoint, absolute time is the way to go of course. Speaking of players over the years, “The Rocker” Ismail has been the fastest player I’ve personally seen on a football field subectively (with pad, helmet, and carrying the ball), but this freshman from Oregon, “The Black Mamba” D’Angelo Thomas, is giving him a run for his money, so to speak (pun intended). It would be interesting to superimpose videos of their punt/kickoff TD returns.

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 19, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

The Rocket*

Ugh I hate not being able to correct typos in SBN.

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 19, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

Rocket vs. Rocker

No contest.

You'd do it for Randolph Scott!
RANDOLPH SCOTT!

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Dec 19, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

Haha

Actually I don’t follow the Braves or baseball anymore, but that’s great. :)

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 20, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

Ugh. De'Anthony* Thomas

And yeah there were more typos I was too lazy to correct, but getting a name wrong is unforgivable. >_< I totally misfired on that one. But the dude IS fast!

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 20, 2011 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

Ever heard of a backup (or 3rd string) QB

returning kicks and/or punts?? Cause it would be awesome having this kid back there to return until he becomes the starter.

just a thought.

This is my Family Tradition

by The_GT_LineageX11 on Dec 17, 2011 11:55 PM EST reply actions

Man, it would be awesome having a special teams superstar for once.

The Church of Paul Johnson - There's not much to it outside of whooping ass and giving haters the finger. To HELL With georgie!

by LilBroey700 on Dec 18, 2011 3:51 AM EST up reply actions

We had superstars on special teams in past years.

Does the name Rhino ring a bell?

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Seneca
"We have to distrust each other. It is our only defense against betrayal." - Tennessee Williams

by orientalnc on Dec 18, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions