Notre Dame Lands Swiss Army Knife On The Back End With Cree Thomas

Breaking down the junior film of Notre Dame cornerback commit Cree Thomas

Notre Dame received a big commitment on Monday from 2025 Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy College Prep star cornerback Cree Thomas. The Irish staff had prioritized Thomas very early on in this process. When you pop on his sophomore film, you can see why.

Then you pop on the junior film, and you see an even more interesting skill set. Having played both cornerback and safety in his career so far, the versatility he brings to the table is outstanding. Let’s take a look at everything Thomas brings to the table for the Irish.

CORNERBACK BACKGROUND

The cornerback label is going to be slapped on Thomas immediately, which is the spot that he has the most experience at. At that position, Thomas has some nice upside to develop into a playmaker with his combination of length, movement and ball skills.

As an outside cornerback, Thomas profiles best in a heavy zone coverage system. In that role, you can really see his spatial awareness shine through. Thomas has an uncanny understanding of where things are happening on the field, and how offenses are trying to attack.

Sometimes cornerbacks can get impatient on the backside of plays. On this one in particular, you can see Thomas stay patient and read the quarterback's eyes and posture. Once he comes back his way, he falls back on the route and finishes for a big interception. That feel for his age is very advanced.

When you look at Thomas, you might get the assumption that he is a strict cover cornerback who won’t make an impact as a tackler due to his sleek frame. That would be a very bad assumption. Thomas has outstanding effort in both the run, and screen game to make plays.

You can see him on this screen meet a blocker out in space, arrive with force and beat the block with his physicality. Thomas rids the block and makes the tackle for no gain. Once he gains more mass to his frame, Thomas has a chance to be excellent tackling in space.

SAFETY TRANSFORMATION

As a junior, Thomas has played a majority of his reps at safety. It was a decision that seemed a little puzzling early on based on his success at cornerback. Then you popped on the film, and the Arizona native looks excellent.

You can quickly see the cornerback background once you pop on Thomas’ junior film. That gives you some hope that he can play in some man coverage on the next level, or maybe even have some upside at nickelback. In off coverage, you can see the click and close ability for Thomas to arrive at the football.

He sticks his foot in the ground and explodes to the wide receiver, arriving with force. That type of change of direction and explosiveness is at a nice level for a cornerback, but is exceptional at safety. That offers so many possibilities to close in zone or play man.

What takes you really off guard about Thomas is that he has legitimate range on the back end. He has reps playing both single and two high safety, which offer a ton of upside on the next level if that’s ultimately his destination. In this two high shell, Thomas showcases his range and comfort in the passing game.

The cornerback bites on a fake screen, with the wide receiver blocking, releasing for a hole shot. Thomas quickly recognizes it and works toward the vertical. You can see the reactiveness and great instincts from Thomas. Then you see the length and athleticism flash as he breaks up the pass. It is such an outstanding play from start to finish.

Being in a proper position is a skill. Thomas clearly understands and identifies where opposing offenses are trying to attack them. Fans love interceptions, which he has recorded five of them this season.

Once Thomas intercepts the pass off of the breakup, he quickly explodes to the endzone. He finishes his big play for a score, showcasing his talent as a playmaker. That’s where you see the movement skills that make him also an excellent kick returner.

In the open field, Thomas is a tremendous tackler. Once again despite his thinner frame, he has no issue to come up and make a play out in space. On this play, Thomas shows an attention to detail and willingness.

Thomas is a sound tackler, showcasing his tackle radius to finish the wide receiver on the ground. He also showed an understanding of how to force the wide receiver to the sideline for the play. That again comes down to spatial awareness.

HYBRID UPSIDE

What position does Thomas ultimately end up at? The answer to that question doesn’t really matter. Thomas can play outside cornerback, and very well. He can also play safety with his combination of length, range and ball skills. Thomas might even be able to play nickelback.

With the game becoming more and more a space game, you need to find defensive backs with big time coverage skills. Thomas brings a profile to be a Swiss Army knife to make a ton of plays for the Irish. 

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