Thomas taking linebacker mentality to offense

— Colt Thomas might line up with the Shiloh Christian offense this fall, but the senior will still play like a linebacker.

Thomas led the two-time Class 4A state champion in tackles the past two years with his physical play and nose for the football.

Those same skills have made him an effective addition as a slot receiver. Thomas had a couple of catches and was a strong blocker for Shiloh's ground game during the second day of team camp in Bentonville's Tiger Stadium.

"He can make some big plays for us," coach Josh Floyd said. "He's always had good hands. He'll be as good of a blocker we've ever had at receiver. He's physical. He loves the physical part of the game."

Thomas, who played on offense as a freshman but has played mostly defense since, admits he likes defense for the hitting. But he's looking forward to helping the Saints on offense this fall.

"I like hitting people," the rising senior said. "Defense is my first love. But offense, I'm looking forward to it. I think one thing I think I can help out is blocking."

Thomas (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) had 107 tackles last year at outside linebacker.

"He's been one of our leaders on defense the past two years," Floyd said. "We've had a lot of big names you hear about on defense, but he's been our leading tackler the past two seasons. He's just a great football player. He makes plays all over the field."

Thomas played both ways during the two-day camp with Bentonville and Jenks, Okla., and gave opponents fits as a defender.

"That's the guy, every day I'm screaming and yelling because we can't block him (during practice)," Floyd said. "He's just hard to block. He has an instinct that you can't really coach."

Thomas said his experience on defense will pay off when he's at receiver.

"It does help on offense because I can read the defense," he said. "I know what that's like."

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