Jaivian Thomas is a self-declared 5'10" 175 pounds and a high-school senior. He'll become the fourth player in Cal's RB room behind Ott, Hayes, and Stredick. He also appears to be the fastest guy in the room based upon comparable HS senior year 100-yard dashes. And by that measure, he is also faster than departing Decarlos Brooks and Chris Street.
He has 2,456 yards rushing for a stunning 14.5 YPC clip and 29 rushing TDs over 13 games. Not to hype Thomas too much, but De'Anthony Thomas' senior year was 1,299 yards and 11.4 yards and 18 TDs. Granted, I believe that Thomas played against a much weaker schedule at McClymond's.
Look at his hype tape and it's immediately obvious what he brings:
Short, quick, fast, and with good vision. However, you see a boat load of yards after contact due to crappy tackling/angles. He is a tiny guy who doesn't have Beast Mode-like thighs, so he probably won't carry a pile forward. And he didn't catch the ball much at McClymonds, averaging less than 1 catch per game. But with Spavital coming in, I envision [Buzz Lightyear spreading his hands meme] bubble screens... bubble screens everywhere.
I am most impressed with is literally shiftiness. It's not reverse-directions ankle-breaking stuff, but his buttery smooth weight shifting. He hits a hole quickly and low. His head and shoulders are steady, but his quick foot-planting and weight shifting without breaking stride means if a would-be tackler has even a moment of indecision because of his cuts - he'll teleport him away from would be tacklers. See 44 seconds into his reel as he makes a safety completely whiff from a two-step full-speed jitter. Or at the one minute mark, which has a perfect camera angle to watch him carve an S-curve past four guys to go untouched.
Is it too good to be true that only Cal among the Pac 12 teams and most other FBS schools saw this guy's talent and wrapped him up? This young man's stats are off the charts, and his game film looks good to my untrained eye. Hard to believe he didn't get more looks from some big schools that thrive on fast small guys. I am thinking Oregon here.
Jaivian Thomas is a self-declared 5'10" 175 pounds and a high-school senior. He'll become the fourth player in Cal's RB room behind Ott, Hayes, and Stredick. He also appears to be the fastest guy in the room based upon comparable HS senior year 100-yard dashes. And by that measure, he is also faster than departing Decarlos Brooks and Chris Street.
He has 2,456 yards rushing for a stunning 14.5 YPC clip and 29 rushing TDs over 13 games. Not to hype Thomas too much, but De'Anthony Thomas' senior year was 1,299 yards and 11.4 yards and 18 TDs. Granted, I believe that Thomas played against a much weaker schedule at McClymond's.
Look at his hype tape and it's immediately obvious what he brings:
http://www.hudl.com/v/2JG4aU
Short, quick, fast, and with good vision. However, you see a boat load of yards after contact due to crappy tackling/angles. He is a tiny guy who doesn't have Beast Mode-like thighs, so he probably won't carry a pile forward. And he didn't catch the ball much at McClymonds, averaging less than 1 catch per game. But with Spavital coming in, I envision [Buzz Lightyear spreading his hands meme] bubble screens... bubble screens everywhere.
I am most impressed with is literally shiftiness. It's not reverse-directions ankle-breaking stuff, but his buttery smooth weight shifting. He hits a hole quickly and low. His head and shoulders are steady, but his quick foot-planting and weight shifting without breaking stride means if a would-be tackler has even a moment of indecision because of his cuts - he'll teleport him away from would be tacklers. See 44 seconds into his reel as he makes a safety completely whiff from a two-step full-speed jitter. Or at the one minute mark, which has a perfect camera angle to watch him carve an S-curve past four guys to go untouched.
Delightful stuff. Welcome to Cal, Jaivian.
Keep Bay Area talent, ESPECIALLY from Oakland schools, at home. Love this.
Probably our best local running back recruit since Jahvid and Marshawn. OAL MVP too.
Is it too good to be true that only Cal among the Pac 12 teams and most other FBS schools saw this guy's talent and wrapped him up? This young man's stats are off the charts, and his game film looks good to my untrained eye. Hard to believe he didn't get more looks from some big schools that thrive on fast small guys. I am thinking Oregon here.
Makes me think of Lu-Magia Hearns. Lauded locally, but overlooked nationally, probably because of his size. Looks like a smooth-running steal.
A small, speedy back... possible return specialist?
Local speed….track star too, or just a speedy tailback?
Whoo take that Troy Taylor! jk...
Also seems like we got a couple of transfers and one being a DB from Colorado