Name: Naiquan Thomas
School: Fairmont State University
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 210
Q: What were some of your goals heading into your final collegiate season?
Some goals heading into my final season were winning our conference and then on to win the National Championship. Some individual goals were for me to make 1st team All-American and be invited to any FBS All-Star games.
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
My style of play would be Physical, Fast and Relentless Effort.
Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?
I will train everyday, change my eating diet, and work more on technique and speed. Also becoming more flexible for fewer injuries.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
When I study film, I look for tendencies like if the team or specific players do certain things depending on what type of play it is. I also look for what type of player you are without the ball, are they lazy, do they look like they care, when they are down do they give up? Also, I look for formation tendencies like what are their run/pass formations.
Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?
What separates me from others is I feel like I am a premier Cornerback, Safety, and Nickel Back. Most of my snaps came from the Free/Strong Safety positions, but I have experience at the Nickel and Cornerback positions. I am more like a hybrid Defensive Back and I can excel in all factors of the game.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
I am a great run stopper for my position; I initiate contact and wrap up much larger ball carriers with excellent form, just as fluently as a Linebacker can. Also, I have great play-making ability, which makes it easier for my teammates to also make plays. You can put at any position in the secondary and I have the ability to make plays and excel at my job. If I am needed in the box, I am physical enough to play in there.
Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
My final pitch or sell to pro league scouts is that I am a hard worker with relentless effort, and of course, I don’t like losing. Competing and winning your 1 on 1s, I feel is a big key part of winning and losing. You don’t have to explain or keep telling me that I am doing something wrong because I don’t make the same mistake twice or often after told once. Coming from a lower level school, I still have the same skills and work habits as a bigger school player, and I believe I just need the shot to prove that. Whoever decides to give me a chance, will get that relentless effort and I am willing to sacrifice for my team to do what ever it takes to become the best, not as an individual, but as a team.