Tigers’ Thomas embraces another position change
For the second time in less than a year, La’Andre Thomas had to learn a new position at Memphis. And for the second time, he embraced it quickly.
Thomas opened the spring at safety, just months after playing at cornerback as a true freshman. With the Tigers needing to fill that spot, defensive coordinator Chris Ball figured that Thomas could given the skills he had being recruited as a quarterback.
“His communication skills and leadership skills are really going to help us on the back end,” Ball said.
Last season, Thomas mentioned that he only played safety when his high school team asked him to do it a few times in 7-on-7 showcases. Now, he says he’s more comfortable and confident after a year learning the defense and being thrust into action with injuries in the secondary.
“Right now, I feel really confident,” Thomas said, “I know what the offense and defense do so the game is really slowing down for me and I’m starting to make a lot more plays.”
Near the end of practice Tuesday, Thomas had an interception, much to the delight of his fellow defensive backs. It was a bright spot on a day where they struggled in one-on-one drills.
It’s a scene Thomas hopes to repeat more this season. He proved himself a quick study last year, registering an interception and three pass deflections even as he was still adjusting to playing cornerback.
First-year defensive backs coach TJ Rushing said that watching Thomas on film, he saw how much he progressed over last season.
Now that he’s able to see Thomas in person, Rushing thinks he has the potential to excel at safety with his athleticism.
“(With) his ability to run, to cover, and be physical, he has all the attributes you want in a safety,” Rushing said.
Rushing added that Thomas being a former quarterback has served him well because he’s already used to getting guys lined up. Now with a similar responsibility on the defensive side, it’s almost a second nature that Thomas is barking out orders as much as he’s adjusting to a new role.
“It’s one of those things he’s been forced to do his whole life,” Rushing said of Thomas’ leadership. “He’s been the guy that has to get everyone lined up correctly and now he’s doing on the opposite of the ball.”