Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Thomas having big impact on Rebels’ program

He has only played one year at UNLV, but the impact junior quarterback Jason Thomas has had on the Rebel football program figures to be felt for many years.

Simply put, the 6-4, 240-pound junior transfer from USC has made it cool to be a Rebel in the recruiting hotbed of Southern California.

"I never thought about (going to) UNLV until I saw Jason playing on TV a few times," freshman wide receiver Earvin Johnson said recently. "Then I saw some of the stuff he was doing and thought, 'Man, I'd like to have him throwing the ball to me.' "

So despite scholarship offers from schools such as USC and Georgia Tech, Johnson decided to sign with UNLV.

When was the last time a blue-chip recruit out of Los Angeles turned down USC for UNLV out of high school?

"When I went to an all-star game this summer people were heading off to places like Tennessee and Florida State and Texas," Johnson said. "But I was the only one going to UNLV. But I don't think that will be the case much longer."

Thomas was one of the most respected and talented two-sport athletes to ever come out of Southern California after starring in both basketball and football at Dominguez High School in Compton. So when he shunned higher profile schools such as Tennessee, Florida State, Nebraska, Michigan and Colorado for UNLV, it sent shockwaves through the Southland.

Jason Thomas to UNLV? What's that all about?

But it wasn't too long after that that UNLV began popping up on some recruiting lists.

Already a number of high-profile transfers from Southern California, who didn't give UNLV the time of day before Thomas and head coach John Robinson arrived, have made their way to Rebel Park.

Starting outside linebacker Shanga Wilson (Corona Centennial HS) and running back Larry Croom (Long Beach Poly), who must sit out the 2001 season per NCAA rules, transferred in from Arizona. Starting wide receiver Bobby Nero (Chino) came from Oregon. Another blue chip running back who is redshirting, Deon Burnett (Claremont), started at Washington State two years ago as a freshman where he shattered Rueben Mayes' single-season freshman record (425 yards) with 974 yards and 12 touchdowns.

"I think he's opened up a lot of (recruiting) doors in Southern California," Robinson said. "I think it helped us recruit some players we might not have gotten otherwise. I don't think there's any question he's had an enormous impact already here."

And that's after just one injury-plagued yet spectacular season during which Thomas still passed for 1,708 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for another 599 yards and 11 TDs.

Now with Thomas' face splattered on local billboards, not to mention throughout a number of national sports publications, it figures even more prep stars will give UNLV a strong look.

"A lot of people might be surprised to see how many kids here are giving UNLV a serious look," longtime Long Beach Poly assistant Merle Cole said. "This is the most talented team I've seen in all my years (over 30) at Poly. We had coaches from places like Tennessee, Florida State and USC at practice here one day offering kids on the spot. But a lot those kids are also giving UNLV a good look because of what J.T. has done there and of course, Coach Robinson's reputation."

Thomas still has two years of eligibility remaining. ESPN draftnik Mel Kiper Jr. recently rated him the top NFL quarterback prospect in college football.

So where does Thomas see himself in a year?

"Right here," he said. "The best thing about it is that it keeps getting better and better here. With guys like Larry Croom and these guys all transferring in, why leave?

"I mean, Earvin (Johnson) will have another year under his belt next season," Thomas continued. "Troy (Mason) comes back. So do Derrick Barnes and Deon Barnes (two junior college wide receiver transfers). And Michael Johnson. DeJhown (Mandley). And Deon Burnett. I'll have so many weapons to use."

Still, if Thomas has a big year and does make a strong run at the Heisman Trophy, you can bet folks like Kiper will be touting him as one of the NFL's top draft picks.

"I can't make that decision now," Thomas said of skipping his senior year for the pros. "I mean, right now I want to stay. But I can't make a $50 million decision when I don't have $50 million in my face. It's hard to say exactly what I would do if I was faced with that."

Either way, it would be save to say that Jason Thomas will leave his imprint on UNLV football for many years to come.

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