FORT COLLINS — Colorado State linebacker Tre Thomas — the guy who helped make sure the Rams would win their first game in their new stadium last year with a dramatic pick-six late in the third quarter against Oregon State — hopes to play in all the big downs this coming season as a fifth-year senior.
Thomas, who was mostly used in specialty situations as a junior, has gained 15 pounds, now up to 230, and is penciled in as a starter at middle linebacker. Coach Mike Bobo has big expectations for the Denver-born speedster from Overland High School who has seen action in each of CSU’s 39 games the last three years (14 starts).
“For Tre, he’s always been a guy who can run and give unbelievable effort. It’s putting it together where we can play him consistently on scrimmage downs,” Bobo said Saturday after a Rams’ second day of practice, which was delayed twice because of rain and lightning. “He’s going to run his tail off, and he’s going to play, but he’s got to be more consistent at that linebacker position.”
Through two days in shorts, Bobo has been impressed. The Rams will don the pads Sunday.
“I’ve noticed throughout spring and these first two days, I’ve see a guy who’s more confident — he’s pulling the trigger to make the play,” Bobo said. “(But) we’re in shorts. When we get into pads, for him, it’s going to be about what I call block protection — being solid at the point of attack, not getting covered up by a tight end, not getting covered up by a lineman.”
Thomas played in all 13 games last season, starting one, and produced 41 tackles — including a team-high seven at No. 1 Alabama. Thomas’ pick-six against OSU gave the Rams a 34-20 lead to break open a close game late in the third quarter at the newly opened Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. CSU went on to win 58-27. Thomas made seven tackle in the game.
Thomas was a tackling machine in high school. He owns a school-record 322 career tackles at Overland, including a season-single record 219 as a senior in 2013. He also owns the single-game school record for tackles, at 27, which he amassed three times as a senior.
His speed and athleticism has always been stellar. He just need to get more physical between the tackles.
“Yeah, I need to be more proactive on the inside. It’s definitely what I’m working on now,” Thomas said. “I think the extra weight should definitely help. I just plan to give it all I got. I just expect to leave nothing on the field because it could be my last time playing.”
Thomas hopes to lead the defense like another fifth-year player — quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels, the graduate student from Washington — leads the offense.
“In leadership I think I can offer a lot — not so much vocally but with my effort,” Thomas said. “I’m always running to the ball. I’m a ball-hawk. I’m definitely feeling good about this year. More opportunity and responsibility than I’ve had in the past.”