2019 Pittsburgh Safety In For Invasion
Notre Dame has recruited Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh for years and it paid off this past cycle, when the Irish inked National Letters of Intent with linebacker David Adams and defensive lineman Kurt Hinish.
The Irish will get a good look at another Central Catholic prospect this weekend, when Corey Thomas Jr. gets to town for Notre Dame’s showcase camp.
“Coach (Brian) Kelly actually hit me up and invited me to come out,” the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder said.
“It meant a lot. It shows that they want me to come up there, show them what I can do and that they have interest in me.”
Thomas, who has offers from Buffalo, Toledo, Bowling Green and Robert Morris, is looking forward to performing at Irish Invasion in front of the Notre Dame staff.
“I want to show that I can run and cover,” he said. “Me being a bigger DB, it means a lot to show them I can do those two things.”
Some have Thomas listed as an athlete or wide receiver, but most colleges see him as a defensive prospect.
“Right now, everyone wants me to play safety,” he said. “I’m hearing a little bit of wide receiver. I probably like defense a little more just because I get to hit, but I don’t mind playing offense.”
Thomas is looking forward to seeing Notre Dame.
“I know they have a great tradition and great academics,” he said. “I’m trying to get up there to learn a little bit more.
“I’ve talked to Kurt about it a lot. He just thinks highly of them. Kurt just talks about how it’s a great school with great academics and how the coaches are real down to earth and honest and how I should consider them throughout my process.”
This past weekend, Thomas camped at Pittsburgh, where he ran a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash and added his Bowling Green and Robert Morris offers.
“(Pat) Narduzzi liked what he saw,” he said of the Panthers’ head coach. “It was good.”
He’s excited to start picking up offers.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I’ve been putting in a lot of hard work this offseason, just trying to reach my goals and it’s nice to see it starting to pay off.”
Thomas plans on camping at Ohio State, West Virginia and Penn State in the coming weeks.
It’s early, but he knows what he’s looking for in a college.
“Academics will definitely play a factor, the success of the program, the opportunity to come in and compete for a job early to get on the field.”