Local 2019 ATH is an early Pitt target

While most of the focus in recruiting in recent weeks has, rightfully, been placed on the 2017 class with National Signing Day approaching, there are still dozens of priority underclassmen targets receiving attention from college coaching staffs at Pitt and many other schools. Among them is 2019 athlete Corey Thomas Jr. of Pittsburgh (Pa.) Central Catholic, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound sophomore who’s shown potential at multiple positions.

"I've been talking with Pitt, Toledo, Iowa State, and West Virginia lately, those are really the main four so far,” Thomas said. “I'm going up to Penn State on February 11th for a visit and I'm going to play it by ear with all of those other schools besides that. I'd love to hear from Ohio State and go down to Columbus, that could be a big one."

Thomas’ transferred to Central Catholic prior to his sophomore season after a standout freshman year at Serra Catholic in the Pittsburgh suburbs. His location right down the street from the University of Pittsburgh makes him an easy guy for the Pitt staff to keep tabs on. While coaches can’t communicate off-campus directly with 2019 prospects at the moment, Pitt’s coaches are a frequent sight in Central Catholic’s hall.

"I like Pitt a lot right now. It feels like they have a lot of young talent coming in there. I like what coach Narduzzi is doing and I think we can see a turnaround for them shortly. It would mean a lot to have the offer from Pitt,” Thomas said. “Growing up here in Pittsburgh, you just want to represent your hometown and put on for your hometown school. That opportunity would mean a lot for me."

The primary question facing Thomas is what position he’ll end up playing at the college level. With his athleticism and size, the standout sophomore has usually been pegged as a wide receiver. However, his recent work at safety on the field for Central and in his training sessions has shown an impressive set of instincts for the position. Thomas isn’t sure he’s going to decide any time soon, or maybe even at the college level.

"I've been playing a little defensive back and working on that, trying to get my technique down. I'd like to get to the point where I can play both [wide receiver and safety] in college so I can make an impact on both sides of the ball,” Thomas explained. “I'm working on my footwork, trying to get physical with receivers off the line, trusting my instincts, stuff like that. I come down here to 2/10ths and train on Mondays and Wednesdays and work on my ladders and hurdles and all of that. The competition and going against receivers in live action now is great."

Regardless of whether he lines up on both or either sides of the football, Thomas looks to be one of the top prospects in western Pennsylvania for the class of 2019. It should only be a matter of time until Power Five schools come calling with offers for Thomas.