WKU Football: Quarterback Week — Is Kevaris Thomas a Starter?
Welcome to the second week of football preview coverage here on The Towel Rack. Last week, we had Bold Prediction Week and this week, we…
Welcome to the second week of football preview coverage here on The Towel Rack. Last week, we had Bold Prediction Week and this week, we are going under center for Quarterback Week.
I’ve always thought that if the Tops somehow landed a player that was a four-star recruit (or higher) out of high school they would be an instant starter. They would have to be, wouldn’t they?
Well, in the words of the legendary Lee Corso, I have to say “not so fast, my friend” to that notion…for now.
Kevaris Thomas, Lakeland , Dual-Threat Quarterback
Kevaris Thomas is a 6-3, 230-pound Dual-Threat Quarterback from Lakeland, FL.247sports.com
Perhaps the most talented player that is going to play in this year’s freshman class at WKU, Mike Sanford will add 6’4, 230 pound dual-threat QB Kevaris Thomas from Lakeland, Florida who is a four-star recruit according to 247Sport.com. WKU beat out programs such as South Florida and Lane Kiffin’s FAU Owls that are right in Thomas’s back door to bring him to the Hill.
Thomas is a baller too.
He has tremendous arm and can make some spectacular throws down the field for several yards but also has the legs to move the ball on the ground as well. So should he start right off the bat for the Tops?
It was announced a few weeks back that red-shirt senior Drew Eckels will be the starting quarterback week one at Wisconsin. He’s been in the system the longest and has waited and earned his shot at starting which is what several people, including our own Tyler Mansfield, believe. Thankfully for Eckels, he also fits the offense that Sanford will want to run next year with more designed quarterback runs.
I also believe Eckels is the best option for the start of the season if the Tops want any shot at beating Wisconsin or Louisville (starting a true freshman at quarterback for these games would not end well). But if these games were to become lopsided or Eckels struggles tremendously, I’d look for Sanford to play Thomas some and see where he’s at. As talented as Thomas is, he most certainly could come in and make some big plays but as far as starting and playing the whole season, I don’t see it happening this year.
One beautiful thing that will help Sanford and every other college football head coach is the new red-shirt rule the NCAA has made for this upcoming season. If Sanford chooses, he could play Thomas in four different games this season and still be able to red-shirt him still giving him four full years of eligibility.
I know it’s early to tell but barring some catastrophic situation, I feel like Sanford will go that route with Thomas for this year. He still gets some playing time that will help his development but will still be able to save his eligibility so come 2019, Thomas would more than likely be the man and start.
I personally believe Kevaris Thomas is the future for WKU. Seeing what Sanford has done with similar players in the past such as DeShone Kizer in his time in Notre Dame excites me and gives me hope things are going the right direction.