I love Earl Thomas, and you should too.

Before the draft started, I singled out a few players that I thought were going to be pretty special.  Eric Berry was the player I had pegged as the 2nd best player in the draft and someone who will be a great player in the NFL for a long time.  I still believe that.  However, in my mock draft, Earl Thomas wasn’t available at #14 for the Seahawks to select.  I was hoping he’d fall, but never thought he would, so I didn’t spend as much time scouting him as I did with Berry.

Having prefaced this post with that last fact, I’m here to tell you that as Seahawk fans, we should be absolutely thrilled about this kid.  Not only are we getting an elite talent, we’re getting a great human being.  With so many off the field issues surrounding some of the top players in the draft, this kid is spotless and will help out the community a lot as well.

“In my opinion, Earl Thomas is the most instinctive free safety I’ve seen on tape in five or six years. He’s a play-maker, he’s got loose hips, he’s got the best range of any center fielder I’ve seen coming out of college football in a long time.  He can go sideline to sideline in zone, he makes plays in zone, he can disconnect and cover No. 2 and No. 3 [receivers], and you’ve got to remember in the NFL these days with the multiple receivers, any time a free safety can drop down and cover like a corner, it’s a huge plus.  [Eric] Berry can do most of those things, but I don’t think he has the instincts.  When I watch tape of these kids, I want to see how quickly you react to what you’re reading, and that’s what separates Earl Thomas.” –  Mike Mayock, NFL Network

Oh and it doesn’t stop there, either.  Director of Scouts, Inc. and Mel Kiper, Jr. arch rival Todd McShay says:

“I could watch Earl Thomas on film all day long.  In terms of versatility, instincts, and play-making ability, there isn’t a better safety in this year’s class including Eric Berry.  He might have the best hands of any defensive back in this year’s class.  I’m convinced he’s ready to step in and make a big difference at the next level.”

Thomas is a red-shirt sophomore.  He’s only 20 years old (although, he’ll be turning 21 in a few weeks).  His stats in only two years at one of the best schools in the nation are remarkable.  He set the single season school record for interceptions in just his 2nd year in Austin.  It’s really impressive when you consider the list of defensive back in the NFL that are Texas alums.  He hasn’t even come close to reaching his full potential, and I would put money on him leading the Seahawks in interceptions this season.

In just 27 games as a member of the Texas Longhorns, Thomas racked up 149 tackles and 10 interceptions, with his 8 last season breaking the aforementioned record.  This kid makes plays.  The one knock on him was his size, but I think that’s way blown out of proportion.  Thomas is listed at 5’10¼ and 208 lbs.  He’ll be over 5’11 with cleats on, and well, obsessing over measurements is stupid.  Sure he’s 5’10 without shoes, but, um, he plays in cleats.  So when they start playing barefoot, then I’ll start worrying more about the inch he’s giving up in terms of height.

Let’s compare him, size wise, to some of the elite safeties in the NFL:

Brian Dawkins, DEN — 6’0, 210
Brandon Meriweather, NE — 5’11, 200
Michael Griffin, TEN — 6’0, 202
Tanard Jackson, TB — 6’0, 200
Donte Whitner, BUF — 5’10, 208
Ed Reed, BAL — 5’11, 200
Troy Polamalu, PIT — 5’10, 207

So, what, an inch or so shorter? He’s actually bigger than some of these guys. I don’t get how he’s “undersized” but Eric Berry isn’t. Berry is listed at 5’11⅝ and 211 lbs. So he’s roughly an inch taller and 3 pounds heavier. But Earl Thomas is undersized. Right.

If you aren’t impressed with Thomas’ on the field prospects, then you have to root for his off the field ones.  On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is “exceptional” and 5 is “marginal”, Thomas scored a 1 under the intangibles category.

“Competitive player with passion for the game.  Has overcome adversity and sites main reason for leaving school early is to purchase a home for his parents, who lost theirs in Hurricane Rita.  Grandfather, Earl Thomas, is a pastor.  No off the field issues to our knowledge.”  — Scouts, Inc.

Dude turned pro to buy a house for his mom and dad who lost it in a fucking hurricane.  I’m not sure how you don’t root for this guy.  All I know is as soon as his jersey is available, I’m buying it.  Just please give him a cooler number than the 29 that is listed on Seahawks.com.