How Michael Thomas Has Emerged as Ohio State's Top Receiving Threat

By Tim Shoemaker on October 7, 2014 at 8:35 am
Michael Thomas is coming into his own at wide receiver for Ohio State.
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Michael Thomas stood on the Ohio State sideline nodding his head up and down, then high-fived Dontre Wilson and Evan Spencer as he awaited an official's review to see if his second-quarter touchdown catch against Maryland on Saturday would hold up.

"After review, the call on the field stands," official Michael Cannon announced to the near-capacity crowd at Byrd Stadium. "Touchdown."

Thomas let out a subtle fist pump, slapped hands with a few of his other teammates and then went back about his business on the sideline just like he had made that type of play countless times before.

"During the week we work on plays like that," Thomas said following the game. "We go over these plays and coach always says to go up to the highest point, get the ball and bring it to the back of your neck so I just did that."

Easier said than done, of course, but Thomas' calmness on the sideline made it seem like he had done it hundreds of times before. Like he knew the whole time the catch would stand as called on the field.

He was right, too, as the replay showed he got both feet down in the end zone. It was a catch that would have been good in the NFL and was the type of catch Thomas' uncle, Keyshawn Johnson, made several times throughout his 11-year professional career.

And coincidentally, the three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection was in attendance to witness his nephew make yet another big play for the Buckeyes.

"I knew my family was here to watch me," Thomas said. "I just wanted to make as many plays as possible to help the team."

Thomas' second-quarter touchdown grab was just the latest in what has been a breakout season so far for the Los Angeles native.

He had four catches for 75 yards and the highlight-reel touchdown against the Terrapins and so far this season, Thomas has totaled team highs in receptions (17), yards (322) and touchdowns (five). The latter is tied with senior Devin Smith for tops on the Buckeyes.

But a year ago, this type of production from Thomas didn't seem like a realistic goal. He was in the midst of a redshirt season where head coach Urban Meyer said Thomas basically kept getting in his own way.

"He was a mistake guy — every third play, he’d screw it up, and that’s why last year he wasn’t ready to play and that was really hard for him last year," Meyer said recently. "But he’s come out and he’s not the same mistake guy and he’s playing much better. It’s not surprising the success he’s had because he’s practiced that way.”

Not surprising to the coaching staff or some of Thomas' teammates, maybe. But after Thomas played sparingly as a freshman, he redshirted during his second year in the program and it definitely raised some questions as to whether or not he could live up to his potential.

But after such a strong start through Ohio State's first five games this year, Thomas certainly has answered some of those critiques.

"With Mike, doing what he's done so far this year is no surprise to me," Smith said after the win over Maryland. "I know how good he is. He's a good a receiver and he's done that all the time so it's no surprise to me."

Thomas' big-play ability is certainly part of the reason he was listed as a starter on Ohio State's depth chart prior to the Maryland game for the first time this season. His physical talent has never been in question.

But perhaps the biggest reason for Thomas' breakout season, however, has been his maturity.

"He's getting better every week. We talked about last week a little bit, too," Ohio State co-offensive coordinator Tom Herman said. "He's a guy that continues to earn trust in us and that's obviously really big in this program. He continues to do that."

If that type growth continues for Thomas, there could be more Keyshawn-like catches in the very near future.

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