Georgia Tech Football: 2017 NFL Draft Prospects - QB Justin Thomas

Countdown to Kickoff: 89 Days

As a Recruit

Coming out of Prattville High School in Prattville, Ala., Justin Thomas was one of the most highly-sought Georgia Tech signees thus far in Paul Johnson's tenure. Thomas was a ranked as a four-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite Rankings (0.9372) and listed in the top 150 players in the country.

In November of his senior season, Thomas committed to his home state Alabama Crimson Tide. However, Nick Saban and then-Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart wanted Thomas to play defensive back for the Tide. It was for this reason that Thomas's commitment to Bama lasted only a month before he switched his commitment to the Yellow Jackets, with Paul Johnson having promised Thomas he would have the opportunity to play quarterback.

On The Flats

After redshirting in 2012, Thomas would play sparingly behind Vad Lee in 2013. Thomas appeared in 10 games but only attempted 33 rushes and 17 passes for the season.

Since then, Thomas started all 14 games in 2014 en route to an 11-3 record, ACC Championship Game appearance and Orange Bowl victory. Thomas was named the Orange Bowl MVP after the Jackets defeated Mississippi State.

Thomas also started all 12 games in 2015, a season in which he and the rest of the Yellow Jackets received a lot of hype. However, as we detailed last week, his production - and that of the rest of the team - was not the same as what we had seen the year before. But still, Thomas led the team every time out and played an instrumental role in Tech's lone ACC win over #9 FSU, whatever that is worth to you.

Here are some of JT's memorable moments at Georgia Tech:

NFL Draft Scouting Report

Regardless of what kind of season Justin Thomas has this season, a simple fact remains - he is just not going to be a quarterback in the NFL. And, to be blunt, his NFL chances at all are pretty bleak.

While a pretty good passer by option standards, Thomas just doesn't have an NFL-caliber arm, either by strength or accuracy. So, a position change would be necessary in order for JT to have any chance at making a roster. But even that presents challenges because of his size.

If Thomas is going to get a shot in the League, it will be because of his sheer athleticism and speed. His speed and elusiveness are definitely elite and something that pro teams will be unable to ignore. Ultimately, those natural abilities are the biggest selling point to him as a running back prospect. As a QB, Thomas also has the ball skills and understanding of offense that could make him valuable as a wide receiver, particularly in a slot receiver type of role. Either way, Thomas would have a lot to prove to convince a team to take a shot on him, especially with a Draft pick.

But, it is his athleticism that at least gives him a chance. So while it may have to be at running back or elsewhere, we can at least hold out hope that we will see Justin Thomas on an NFL field at some point in the future.