Latarrius Thomas is a safety out of Eastern Michigan whose hometown is Daytona, Fla. The 6-foot-1, 210-lb. NFL hopeful was a third-team All-American last season and is projected to be taken in the middle or late rounds of the NFL Draft. In the first installment of his two-part Draft Diary, an exclusive to Pro Player Insiders, Thomas recaps his final collegiate season, explains why he transferred from Louisville and describes himself on and off the field.
It was a great season at Eastern Michigan last year. We had a great group of guys. I can’t take all the credit. We had a pretty solid defense for the MAAC. From the D-Line to the linebackers and the other safety I played with as well. So first of all, I played with a good team. I also had a great coach, Coach Snow. He taught us all the ins and outs of defense. We started learning in the spring so everything carried over to the regular season. I had great coaches and great people I played with.
I went to Louisville under Coach Petrino and after my freshman year, Coach Petrino decided to leave and take a job in the NFL. We got Coach English in as the defensive coordinator. When he came in, he taught me a lot about defense because in high school I played receiver, so I didn’t know a whole lot about defense. I was pretty much a see-ball, get-ball type player. Once Coach E came in, he taught me defense and I learned a lot more about football under him. Then he got the head coaching job at Eastern Michigan, so I decided to come over with him to learn more about defense. I really liked his scheme.
As a player it hasn’t always been easy to get people’s attention, but I’m tough. I’m dependable. You tell me to be there, show me how to do it, I will try to do it and I will die trying. I will keep trying over and over. I know the game of football a lot better now than when I started. Like most people that play, I just kept learning more as I played more. On the field I am pretty rowdy, I can get pumped up, but off the field I am pretty laid-back and I am an overall chill guy.
-As told to ProPlayerInsiders.com contributor Josh Volpe
