UDFA ILBer Mathew Thomas. A interesting writeup.

[slashsteel]

http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN ...as-easily-headlines-steelers-2018-udfa-class/

While in Indianapolis participating in this year’s scouting combine, Thomas registered an amazing pSPARQ score of 148.6 thanks primarily to him running his 40-yard-dash in 4.58-seconds and logging vertical and broad jumps of 41.5-inches and 10’11”, respectively. If that’s not enough, Thomas posted a short shuttle time of 4.28-seconds and a three-cone time of 6.85-seconds.

Thomas, who measured in at this year’s scouting combine at 6026, 232-pounds, was named Monday by NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt as one of the top-five linebackers to go undrafted this year behind only Skai Moore, Mike McCray, and Frank Ginda.

Thomas, who the Steelers had in for a pre-draft visit during the month of April, led the FSU defense in tackles his junior and senior seasons, his only two as a starter. That was a 162 total tackles during those two seasons in addition to an interception, a forced fumble and four passes defensed.

Injuries and off the field concerns led to him being un-drafted. But as a low risk UDFA, he could be a dark horse to making the roster.

 

[antdrewjosh]

http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN ...as-easily-headlines-steelers-2018-udfa-class/



Thomas, who measured in at this year’s scouting combine at 6026, 232-pounds, was named Monday by NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt as one of the top-five linebackers to go undrafted this year behind only Skai Moore, Mike McCray, and Frank Ginda.



Injuries and off the field concerns led to him being un-drafted. But as a low risk UDFA, he could be a dark horse to making the roster.

Yeah i was talking about him in my facebook steelers group. I room him with somebody who knows the defense well and see what he can do

 

[steel dino]

This kid is a long way from securing a spot on this roster...

Lets not get too hyped over an UDFA with character/personal concerns

 

[slashsteel]

This kid is a long way from securing a spot on this roster...

Lets not get too hyped over an UDFA with character/personal concerns

who is over-hyped? I said a dark horse possibility

Here and there one player makes it as a UDFA, At a position of need, I am merely saying he could be a option.

Nobody is saying he is securing anything.

That is what training camp is for.

 

[slashsteel]

Just stumbled across this in a Q and A

Steelfan77: Ray, are you excited about any of the UDFAs?
Ray Fittipaldo: Matt Thomas from Florida State is intriguing. Had some off-field issues at FSU, but he is talented. No idea if he'll work out, but his talent at a position of need is duly noted

 

[Tibs]

Interesting group of UDFA's this year. Besides Thomas, the two guys that could make some noise are OLB/Edge Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, who was slotted to go as high as the 5-6th round and CB Trey Johnson out of Villanova The Steelers were at his pro-day where he put up crazy numbers including 4.3 forty.

Looking forward to seeing if any of these unheralded guys can get with the program and make a dent during spring/summer.

The one area I think we're still thin is at WR. Not much there behind the big thee of AB, JuJu and Washington. I have little faith in DBH & Hunter. I think they'll add some bodies there soon.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

This kid is a long way from securing a spot on this roster...

Lets not get too hyped over an UDFA with character/personal concerns

Hell, there are some veterans who are a long way from securing a roster spot (I see you LJ Fort and Jordan Dangerfield).
Now is exactly the time to get "hyped" over the UDFA's. BEFORE camp starts and it becomes quickly apparent that most of the ones we got hyped over are incapable of making even the practice squad.
Speaking of Fort, I don't think it's entirely out of the realm of possibility that Thomas could push him for a roster spot as a ST player/emergency ILB. Younger, more athletic, cheaper, with a higher ceiling if he can put it all together.

 

[Litos]

Hope he takes the 4th ILB spot

Sent from my [device_name] using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Future HOF GOAT here we come 7,8,9...

In all seriousness, maybe we got a poor man's Birthdefect...hopefully this guy doesn't have the same cheap shot doucheyness if he does indeed have the talent to stick.

 

[BLITZ]

This kid is a long way from securing a spot on this roster...

Lets not get too hyped over an UDFA with character/personal concerns

But that is what we do

 

[21STEELERS21]

Bringing in Burnett and drafting Marcus Allen has made Fort somewhat obsolete. I believe they will fill Fort's role of playing the Mack linebacker spot on passing
downs. Allen could eventually be converted to a full-time ILB. This gives Thomas a shot of taking Fort's roster spot.

 

[FordFairLane]

I am all for low risk high reward. If the lights turn on for him he could be a steal. If not he’s down the road.


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[SteelChip]

Ray Fittipaldo: Matt Thomas from Florida State is intriguing. Had some off-field issues at FSU, but he is talented.

I tried to look this up but all FSU had was that he mysteriously missed time. No specific reason ?

 

[slashsteel]

I tried to look this up but all FSU had was that he mysteriously missed time. No specific reason ?

He failed a drug test, had some shoulder injuries, and had a public intoxication charge that was dropped due to a program completion.

 

[ianv2012]

He failed a drug test, had some shoulder injuries, and had a public intoxication charge that was dropped due to a program completion.

Yep, probably would have been drafted early day 3 otherwise

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Yep, probably would have been drafted early day 3 otherwise

For THAT? ****,, i did all that my freshman year in college . Thats nothing to be concerned about.

 

[ianv2012]

For THAT? ****,, i did all that my freshman year in college . Thats nothing to be concerned about.

Probably could be viewed this way, but you know how it is with the NFL, don't want to risk picks on someone that could be a pattern of problem behavior once they get money

 

[JMM]

For THAT? ****,, i did all that my freshman year in college . Thats nothing to be concerned about.

And look at where you're at now...Getting drunk and falling into the ladies room at Heinz during draft day parties....Pittiful


I hope the guy is the next James Harrison.

 

[topseed]

Leading a program like Florida State in tackles for two years straight is no small accomplishment, for a guy with off-field issues or otherwise.

Not getting my hopes up just yet, but Thomas sounds exactly like the kind of athlete the Steelers could use in the middle of their defense. Perhaps the hard-core non-players coach can straighten the kid out.

 

[Drink IRON City]

For THAT? ****,, i did all that my freshman year in college . Thats nothing to be concerned about.

REALLY ???!!!! We expect more than a fat O'l balding drunk (who may have sobered up), even if a walk on.


Seriously, (just ******* with yaz), somewhere along the road of life one has to be held accountable. The drug test / drunkeness / etc. needed some consequence and un drafted was that consequence. In this case being UNDRAFTED make the value to us even better should he pan out. Either way his skill set is the same weather 3rd or walk on thus risk taken. Would we have drafted him in the 3rd,4th,0r 5th.........I don't think so.



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