Jayden Thomas Attacked the Offseason & Eyeing Big Senior Season at Notre Dame
Jayden Thomas was primed for a big 2023, but then a nagging hamstring injury slowed him down for most of the year.
The 6-foot-2, 218-pounder gutted it out and managed to play in 11 games while recording 21 receptions for 310 yards and one score.
That said, Thomas didn’t have a wash of a year by any means, but he took the injury as a challenge this offseason to do everything in his power to be ready for a long season in 2024.
”I’m somewhere between 216-218,” Thomas said of leaning out. “I still have a way to go. I want to play ultimately between 212-215 during the season. In the spring, I was really emphasizing working with our head nutritionists, Alexa Appleman and Catherine (Carbeck).
“It was eye-opening to see the body changes I adapted to. It was great having someone so knowledgeable in Alexa and working with (Loren) Landow, too. I changed my whole eating habits, which was great and helped me lose some weight.”
Another detail that has Thomas excited is the depth in the receiver room. Sure, every player wants to be on the field, but the more bodies available also means guys can stay fresher, which is important as Notre Dame has long-term goals beyond the 12 regular season games.
“We have the whole room can go out there each Saturday and do what we gotta do,” explained Thomas. “It definitely helps in practice. We don’t just have guys going out there every play. I feel like we have at least four deep at each spot. It’ll definitely help us over the long run to stay healthy.”
The boundary receiver spot is as deep as it’s ever been with bodies but also talent. Thomas and graduate transfer Beaux Collins will likely get the majority of the reps, while classmate Deion Colzie and true freshman Micah Gilbert will also play.
Thomas, who has also played quite a bit in the slot over his career, has appreciated the move to the boundary and the competition to get on the field.
“When it’s your jersey number called, you have to go out there and ball out,” stated Thomas. “That’s what I’ve learned being in college. I was a true freshman and only played in like four games. When my number is called, I have to do my job, and that’s ultimately what the coaches look at. Can they trust you?”
The move to boundary also means Thomas gets to see Notre Dame All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison every practice. It’s a challenge both players have not only embraced each day, but also look forward to as the heated competition will make each player better.
“I love it when I get to go against the best cornerback in the country,” stated Thomas. “Not only him, but the best safeties and the best defensive line in the country. Our whole defense is the best in the country. We love it. It’s competitive. Every day we get better and better.”
Thomas and the Irish receivers have also worked tirelessly over the summer to build trust with new Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. The Duke transfer has impressed Thomas not only in the locker room but also on the field, which is the most important.
“The deep ball, short ball, window and then what he does with his feet, I don’t think I’ve seen at Notre Dame or probably in my life. He’s fast. The GPS numbers say he ran 20mph. It’s kind of funny when you have a quarterback who has running back speed.”
As for an NFL comparison for Leonard, the Georgia native didn’t hold back.
“He has a mixture of like Josh Allen,” explained Thomas. “He’s special with legs. I don’t want to say Lamar (Jackson), but it’s dang near like Lamar. The speed he has with his feet and he has a bigger body like Josh Allen. It’s going to take more than one defender to bring him down if it’s a designed quarterback run or a quarterback sneak.”
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