What Now with Devin Thomas Leaving for the NFL?

 First, we should all wish Devin well. Many experts feel that if a young man isn’t a sure first rounder then he should stay. I have personally spoken with

 First, we should all wish Devin well. Many experts feel that if a young man isn’t a sure first rounder then he should stay. I have personally spoken with three different scouts from three different NFL teams that don’t believe Devin's name will be called in the first round. Devin Thomas has done everything asked of him and is leaving on his own terms. Devin is a nice young man. I am saddened to think of what his career could have been had JLS actually used him in year one, but he stayed out of trouble and contributed immediately for Mark Dantonio. I have not spoken with anyone who sees him as a first rounder. That said, all acknowledge that his numbers are impressive and that he could work work his way up the draft chart. 

I just got back from a trip up north and I am personally shocked by some of the e-mails I have received. I can understand what Max feels when he wrote, “Hondo, why can’t we get guys to stay, when UM can’t hardly get them to leave?” Large numbers of the Spartan faithful agreed with Max; remember people, Stanton returned to MSU for his final season.

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Listen, I am a part of the school that says, if you can handle the course work and your life allows you financial independence, than you should stay if you’re not a first rounder. That said, Devin’s loss is not the end of the Spartan football program. For some young Spartan talent, it may be just the beginning.

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Not only will Mark Dell and Deon Curry be back, don’t forget we have one of the most heralded WR’s in the country in Fred Smith coming in with this recruiting class. B.J. Cunningham is a receiver that MSU brought in with Mark Dantonio’s first recruiting class who red shirted this season. Cunningham got everyone’s attention with his physical presence and play making ability all season long on the scout team. Dantonio is not one to burn red shirts, and Cunningham was kept from playing even while it was abundantly clear during the season that he would have been a huge impact player down the stretch.

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I certainly am in no way saying, “good ridance” to Devin. I think we will miss him. I for one will miss both Devin the person and Devin the athlete. I am saying that he represented the program well and he never complained. Even when JLS had him buried in the depth chart, Devin came to work and prepared.

My favorite story about Devin was after an MSU loss. He stayed late signing autographs for any kid that stood outside the tunnel and waited at the sacred cathedral (Spartan Stadium).  As I was leaving the press box late after a game, he told me that he never wanted to be a player that told a kid no. Most importantly he remembered the previous season, when no one wanted his autograph.

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He loves being a Spartan and he made a decision many will criticize. You are not Devin Thomas. Most of you do not know Devin's personal circumstances or the sacrifice he has made to become the receiver and young man that he is today. Only time will tell us whether or not this was the right decision. For Devin Thomas and his family, I hope it works wonderfully with a seamless transition to the NFL. I am glad he wore the green and white. Where would we have been without him this season? Can you imagine? I am also glad that he is leaving a position where the Spartans are loaded. Losing him will have an impact, but one that MD can manage.

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Losing a great player is difficult. It is certainly a position of strength for the Spartans and will give some youngsters an opportunity to show their stuff. I cannot wait to see Fred, BJ and Mark lined up three wide and see how next year's opposing defenses pick their poison with Javon in the backfield. Here is to you Devin, good luck and thanks for being a great Spartan.