Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2021 53 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER Jayden Thomas started playing baseball when he was just 4 years old. He picked up football and bas- ketball later on during his childhood, but juggling all three sports while in high school to go along with the vigorous academics at Pace Academy in Atlanta would have put too much on his plate. Thomas dropped basketball, but continued to play baseball and foot- ball. His junior baseball season was canceled due to COVID-19, but his senior campaign begins in mid-Feb- ruary and will end about a month before he enrolls at Notre Dame on a football scholarship. What will be interesting to moni- tor is whether or not he'll continue to be a dual-sport athlete in college. Thomas playing baseball in South Bend has yet to be determined, but that option may present itself. "If I were to play baseball there, I feel like I would fit right in," Thomas said. "It's just a commitment I'd have to make." Thomas plays shortstop, third base and center field, and even pitches some. He estimates his top throwing speed checks in around 88 miles per hour. His primary focus will be football in college, and while he plays his final prep baseball season, he'll give plenty of time getting himself ready for his freshman year in South Bend. "Notre Dame sent us a workout schedule that we follow," noted Thomas, a four-star wide receiver. "I'll be doing that with my strength and conditioning coach. I'll be in the weight room — lifting and getting in shape." Thomas signed with the Fighting Irish last December, officially end- ing his recruitment. He committed to Notre Dame on Oct. 2, 2020 over fellow finalists Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan and Penn State. "It's definitely a big relief to put pen to paper and have my dream come true of playing college football at the highest level," Thomas said. "I'm go- ing to Notre Dame, which is the best college in the world in my opinion." Thomas told the Irish staff that he would be committing to their pro- gram about a month before he went public with it, but he knew in his heart a couple months before where he wanted to be. "The love they showed just set them apart," Thomas said. "I knew late in the summer that I was going to Notre Dame. They made me feel the most wanted. Coach [Del] Alex- ander showed me how I would fit in and how he can make me better. It was just the right fit." ✦ Jayden Thomas Could Be Notre Dame's Next Two-Sport Standout Thomas may end up playing both football and baseball for the Fighting Irish. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM JAYDEN THOMAS WIDE RECEIVER 6-1 · 185 PACE ACADEMY PAULDING COUNTY, GA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 45 24 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 218 38 24 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 106 51 STATISTICS • Totaled 111 career receptions for 1,656 yards and 13 scores during his prep career. • Caught 28 passes for 432 yards and five touchdowns in seven games as a senior. • Had his best statistical season as a sophomore when he caught 42 passes for 696 yards and five touchdowns. NOTABLE • Born on Oct. 18, 2002. • 2020 USA Today Atlanta Offensive Football Player of the Year finalist. • 2019 Georgia All-Region 5-AAA first-team offense. • 2018 Georgia Class AAA All-State honorable mention. • Hopes to play shortstop or outfield for Notre Dame baseball team. • His grandfather, Phillip Rodgers, was the first African-American quarterback at Virginia Tech. • Pace Academy's head of school is Fred Assaf, who had four sons attend Notre Dame, includ- ing Mick, who was a walk-on running back from 2016-19. • Coached by Chris Slade, former New England Patriots linebacker, and Terrence Edwards, the all- time leading receiver in Georgia Bulldogs history. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame Oct. 2, 2020. • Selected the Fighting Irish over Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan and Penn State. • Visited Notre Dame for the Virginia Tech game on Nov. 2, 2019. • Recruited by wide receivers coach Del Alex- ander. 2021 PROJECTION • Thomas is likely to redshirt as a true fresh- man in 2021. THEY SAID IT Pace Academy head coach Chris Slade: "He's not a receiver who only wants to catch footballs and do nothing else. He's willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win and be successful. He's so coachable and smart. "He's just a natural athlete and is well respected because he works extremely hard, not only on the field but in the classroom and in the com- munity. "He has really embraced this school and its culture. People around here have a lot of respect for him because they know what he stands for." Pace Academy receivers coach and former Georgia receiver Terrence Edwards: "The overall ability has always been there, and Jayden has been eager to learn from the beginning. The big- gest growth has been in his route running. He has really improved in setting up his routes, getting in and out of breaks and just becoming a true student of the game. "He is asking more questions now than ever, and we watch more film together. He has become hungrier for the mental side than the physical side. He knows at the next level he will need to be advanced in the technique."