Naomi B. Jones
March 11, 2008Exhibits
March 13, 2008
A military instructor may use the letters “E and E” to describe Nicholls State head football coach Jay Thomas’ recruiting philosophy this year.
Escape and Evasion.
Thomas’ primary need is the offensive backfield.
Without some E and E, it is nearly impossible for an offensive backfield to escape the battalion of mammoth-sized defensive rangers attempting to run them down in today’s speedy world of college football.
Jay Thomas is an amiable guy who considers fishing his favorite hobby. While he concedes that it takes two years to evaluate any recruiting class, his cheerful facial expressions bespeak a man who feels he has reeled in a quality catch in 2008.
Mission accomplished in his most critical areas of concern.
This son of former coach Larry Thomas knows the essentials of sealing the deal. After all, he is a protégé’ of Pete Jenkins. Anyone in south Louisiana who follows college football will attest that Jenkins is one of the greatest football recruiters who ever stalked a sideline.
It has been said that selling is not manipulating. Selling is harmonizing.
In the late ’80s, Thomas was spending his formative years learning the art of selling, recruiting from Jenkins at LSU. Thomas was hired by Mike Archer to scout and coach defense. LSU won the SEC in Thomas’ first year with the program.
“In recruiting, I always did home visits but I never really had to finish selling the deal with the parents,” said Thomas.
“So, I went to Coach Jenkins and said, ‘What would you say to parents and a recruit? He said, ‘You got a pencil and paper?’ I said I’d find some real quick and he (Jenkins) says, ‘Here you go. Here’s number one. Here’s number two. Here’s number three. And, here is how you close it – number five,” Thomas laughs.
“So I go by it. That’s what I’ve been going by ever since.”
You may call it The Book of Recruiting according to Pete Jenkins. It is the Magna Carta of recruiting as far as Thomas is concerned. Both Jenkins and Thomas have a long list of success stories to prove the philosophy is “right on, brother.”
Jake Witt made a total of 30 recruits signed by Thomas and his staff.
Thomas does not like what he refers to as “pigeonhole” guy. He seeks versatility, speed, quickness, athleticism, agility. All are required qualities to play for Jay Thomas.
Guys like Laquintin Caston, a Scotlandville High star and perhaps the crown jewel of this year’s crop. Caston is known for doing damage to opposing defenses with both his arm and his feet.
Thomas envisions the potential for greatness for Caston.
“Laquinton is a multi-talented guy. He played quarterback. He’s played running back. We’re going to take a look at him at quarterback when we get ready for August drills,” says Thomas.
“He is a bright young man. Very sharp in school. Great personality. He’s a very likeable guy. His coaches love him. Very coachable. That’s the key.
Thomas adds, “I really like Laquintin because of the type of guy he is. He is a wide-shouldered kid. He could be a running back if it doesn’t work out at quarterback. He could be a safety.”
Definitely not a pigeonhole guy as Thomas would say. Versatility in spades.
Thomas singles out the work ethic of Ellender product Hosea Chatman. Chatman is currently enrolled at Nicholls, having graduated one semester early. T
he spunky kid is hanging tough with the seasoned veterans in those chilly 5:50 a.m. workouts.
“I heard him (Chatman) step up in one of the drills and say, ‘Man, let’s go to work.’ Here he is a freshman and he’s out there competing,” Thomas declares proudly.
Chatman gives Nicholls the dimension of having a big-time arm and throwing the football.
Thomas speaks glowingly of another local player, Kerry Guidry, an All-Bayou Region honoree.
“There’s another guy. Very versatile – a kicker, but can play safety, a receiver in high school. We’ll start him out at safety. He’s a tremendous tackler. He has a great instinct for the ball, takes good pursuit angles. He gets out of his hips real quick and makes some really good tackles.”
Look for a lot of new faces on the field this year. You may see freshmen in the two-deep at quarterback, receiver, the offensive line and safety.
Players who are physical, can fly to the football and make quick decisions will quickly see playing time for Jay Thomas.
“The key to our success will be our senior class and how quick the coaching staff and the senior class can get the team together between now and next August.”
One of those political body language experts would analyze that Jay Thomas likes what he sees so far. No pigeonhole guys on the tundra of Thibodaux.
Nicholls State head coach Jay Thomas signed 30 new recruits – Jake Witt being the most recent. He plans to get an early look at the talent as this month’s spring training gets under way in Thibodaux. * Photo courtesy of NSU/DOUG KEESE
