1. Why did you decide to sign with Quincy University?

Quincy University is first class in academics and athletics. The town is great and they all support football, basketball and baseball by coming out and watching every game. I can’t wait to represent the city to the best of my ability.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

My athletic director told me to write down my one lifetime goal when I was a freshman. My goal never changed throughout high school: “I want to play collegiate basketball.” So right now, I’m living my dream and couldn’t ask for anything else.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Stay positive through your recruiting process. There will always be ups and downs along the way, but you need to consider all levels of play in college, DI, DII, DII, NAIA, and Junior College. If you don’t consider all the options, then you may end up having no options to play a college sport. Also, recruits need to go approach college coaches and show an interest in their program. Coaches will not come find you, especially if the recruit is attending a small high school, like I did.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My brother Jake Thomas. He has gone through so many ups and downs through his playing career. He now is one of the top football long snappers in the country today, with possible options to play professionally.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

Graduating is number one on the list. I plan to graduate from Quincy with a degree in International Business. On the basketball side of things, I’m just happy to be playing in college. I’m just going to play basketball to the best of my ability every single day I step on the court. That’s all I can control at this point.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Elizabethtown College ?

I chose this school because it was rather close to home and they are very stellar academically. I also believe the lacrosse program is on the rise and has a very bright future.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I am very excited about becoming a collegiate student-athlete because it is all about taking things to the next level. I will grow as a student, as well as a lacrosse player and that is just very exciting.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Get involved with club teams over the summer and do your best to get your name out there. That is what it’s all about.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

Definitely my coaches because they taught me all that I know about the sport and helped me with the whole recruiting process.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would like to help my team win as many games as possible and help make a name for Etown lacrosse.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with UC Riverside?

I chose UCR because it is a beautiful school. It was far from home, but not too far. The coaches were nice and I hear they are really good coaches.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

It is an exciting feeling being a student-athlete. You get first priority in choosing classes, a lot of people look up to you, and you get to compete at a high level.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

When getting recruited, don’t sign too fast. I didn’t sign until after school was over. I kept my options open and I’m glad I did, because I made the best decision of my life.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

Lisa Leslie is my sports idol. She was a very talented basketball star and she had a great personality. She knew how to control herself and put God first.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would like to make all the invitational meets by hitting a good mark. I would like to PR all the time so I can get better. I would also like to finish school in 4 years with a sociology degree.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Piedmont College?

From the beginning in my college selection process, I wanted to go to a school that would allow me to play lacrosse, but also give me the best education I could get. Piedmont wasn’t even on my original list, but a few emails were shared and before I knew it, they came from Georgia all the way to New Hampshire to see me play. After realizing that they were interested in me, I looked at the school in-depth and realized that it would be a perfect fit for me.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

Unbelievable. I never thought I would ever get to this point in my lacrosse career. I always looked at collegiate athletes as these majestic, superior players and when I got my first email from a college coach, I realized that I was among those elite players. Being able to say that you’re playing college lacrosse is literally one of the coolest things ever.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

My advice would be to not get discouraged. I know it may sound cliché, but it’s true. Many underclassmen in high school don’t realize that they are not a top priority to a college recruiter. They are looking for players who will be able to help them as soon as possible. I remember playing my freshman year for a summer team and all of the older players were being talked to by recruiters but I wasn’t. I talked to my coach and he told me my time will come, and sure enough, it did. Continue to work hard even when you’re younger; because even if a coach doesn’t come up and talk to you, you might still be on his list of future recruits.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

Hands down my dad. He has always been there throughout every sport I played, whether I liked it or not. He believes that there is always room for improvement. Yeah, the pressure gets to me sometimes, but in the end I understand that he is helping me and that’s what keeps me going. He is a great mentor and a huge motivator. He was definitely a big part of me getting scouted.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

By the end of my college career, I would like to be able to look back at all four years and feel accomplished. I want to know that I made an impact on my team, whether I was the leading scorer, the leading feeder, or the kid on the team with the most spirit. Regardless, I want to leave college, knowing that I will be missed.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Gannon University?

I liked the whole environment and the vibe that the school had. I also liked all of the academic programs they offered. I knew that I’d get a good balance of lacrosse and school, which was what I was really looking for in a school.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I’m so beyond excited to become a collegiate student-athlete. It was always my dream to be able to do what I love, while preparing myself for the future. I know that enjoying my time playing lacrosse right now and being in school will prepare me for life after college, and I am so excited to begin the experience.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

I would tell other athletes to explore every option. Make sure you give every offer, or email, or coach a chance. Don’t say no right away just because it’s not your childhood dream. I made sure to look into every school that ever emailed me or called me. You never know when some place you have never heard of turns into your new dream school.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

I think the biggest influence in my sports career has to be my coaches. I would be no where if I didn’t have any of the people who coached me in my life, even my friend’s dad in peewee soccer. They all had some sort impact on my life, whether it was good or bad, they had an impact and made me into the person I am today. I am so glad I had my coaches to ask for advice, especially through the recruiting process, because I had no clue what it was going to be like.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would just like to be happy and proud of myself. Whether that means I’m the star player, or if that means I’m the team cheerleader. As long as I’m happy with my role on the team, and I’m proud of myself and my teammates; I just want to be happy.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Trinity Valley Community College?

I chose Trinity Valley because it was the best choice financially, academically, and athletically.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

It has always been my dream to play football collegiately and now that this dream is becoming a reality, I’m extremely excited and ready to get to work.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

To any high school athlete pursuing the next level I would tell them, “Never give up on your dream, not if you want it more than anything else. Never let any one tell you what you can and can’t do. Go big or go home as a teammate is what I would always say.”

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

The most influential person in my career, despite never meeting him, would have to be my late grandfather. He was a high school football coach in Ohio who loved the game and that passion has been passed down through my family. When I got that passion I found what I do best and turned all of our dreams into a reality.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I want to help my team win multiple conference and national titles. But first and foremost I want to be the best student athlete I can be in my double major of business management and communication.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with the University of Dallas?

I heard about this school through the volleyball coach and decided to check it out. I chose to attend the University of Dallas because of my campus visit. I absolutely fell in love with the university, and was able to imagine myself attending college there.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I am extremely excited to start my first college season at the University of Dallas. It is actually going to be the first time getting in a game since my ACL repair surgery I had in March. So just being able to continue my athletic career, let alone at the college level, is exciting in itself.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Don’t focus too heavily on the athletic aspect of your college decision. You want to be able to see yourself attending this school even if you didn’t have the opportunity to play there. College should be a great experience, so being able to enjoy yourself and learn in a good environment that you want to be in will help make your college decision better for you.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My family and my club team have had the biggest influence on me when it comes to volleyball. My family has always been very supportive and has given me a great foundation to always make me want to better myself and not have a losing attitude. My club team has always challenged me to become a better athlete and made me want to continue my athletic career through college, even after my injury. (I tore my ACL in Jan. 2012)

5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?

I would like to help my team become the best we can be. While being successful on the court, I want to be successful in my classes as well.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Miami University of Ohio?

I chose to sign with Miami in June. This was very late notice because of unexpected track success. I was also All Ohio in Football and was planning to play at a smaller college before I began to get Division 1 track offers in late May and early June. I chose Miami over some other MAC schools because of their academic standards, great campus and facilities, and because several of my friends will also be attending.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I am very excited about the opportunity to compete in the MAC and to train year round with high caliber athletes.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

My advice to other kids with college sports aspirations is to work hard and hopefully your performance will get noticed. Also, I wouldn’t and didn’t waste money on expensive recruiting websites, I found that emailing the coaches directly or having high school coaches talk to them on my behalf was a great method.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My greatest influences are my older brothers Scott and Ross, as well as my track coach, Dave Agosta. Without these people to guide and support me I undoubtedly wouldn’t have had this opportunity.

5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?

My goals for college track as a freshman are to enjoy the experience and reach my athletic potential.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Bethany College?

I selected Bethany College because of their history program as well as their football program. Their history program helps you increase your intellect and they elaborate on modern history and ancient history. Their football program last year earned a record of 8-3. Their coaches were very supportive in my process of helping me decide what educational institution to attend. Their program has won numerous league championships and has the ideal potential to win a national championship.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I’m extremely excited about becoming a college student-athlete. It’s an honor and privilege to play the game of football at such a high level. It’s been a dream to play college football and my ultimate goal is to make it to the NFL. I was ecstatic and jumping for joy when I finally made the decision to play college football and attend Bethany College. I realize the blessings of God because without him I wouldn’t have the opportunity to participate in college football. I will never forget the excitement level; it was comparable to someone winning the lottery.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

The advice I would give to other athletes is to work hard in their respective sport, and to never give up. They should realize that they are a student- athlete and that academics are a priority. Without a successful academic career colleges won’t pursue you. It’s a great idea to fill out a questionnaire to a college you are interested in and send film to college coaches so they can discover you just in case you’re not on the ESPN top 150 high school athletes. When you are competing for your respective high school team, always have a respective attitude and compete on a level that you thought wasn’t even imaginable; always compete to win and never to lose.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

The biggest influence has been Jerry Rice, because he is the greatest wide receiver to play in the NFL. Coincidently, I play the same position as Jerry Rice. He never gave up and two weeks after the season ended he would start his off-season workout. His reason was chasing a championship because that was his ultimate goal. He also inspired me to be a respectful, hard-working young man and to dress well. He never had any attitude problems and displayed great respect for his fans. To this day he inspires me to be great because if he can do it I can do it. And I will do it with desire, dedication, and determination.

5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?

I would like to become a league champion, national champion, and an All-American.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with McNeese State University?

Close to my hometown so my parents can come to my games. High rate of athletes get their degrees. Small hometown feel. I am in my own apartment with a player I played club volleyball with and loving college atmosphere.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I love my team and coach! All the coaches know what they are doing and they are working us hard and challenging each and every one of us. I did not want to go to school and it be easy. I want to be challenged! I am a little overwhelmed worrying about how to balance classes and volleyball but McNeese provides a lot of support so I will do fine.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

As far as volleyball you need to play for a club that does a great job of working with college recruiters. Make good grades in high school and from the beginning of your junior year start taking your SAT and ACT tests to get your scores as high as possible. Make a recruiting page and send out your club schedule to colleges to let them know when you play and make sure they have your jersey number. I was committed by my junior year but never took my recruiting page down and all during my senior year I was approached by colleges. It takes a lot of pressure off your senior year if you have made a decision your junior year.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My parents because they have stood by me every step of the way. As a family we prayed before I committed and once I made my decision I did not have a doubt in the world. My parents have made great sacrifices to make sure I had the best training, allowed to play at a high profile club and supported me by coming to my games. They continue to support me by helping me adjust to college life away from home. I feel very blessed and do not want to let them down. So when practices are hard I just work harder and remember I have a lot of people pulling for me and supporting me every step of the way.

5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?

I want to start all four years in college. I want to make all-conference. I want to be a leader and team captain for my team. I want to be known as a team player and hard worker. Someone incoming freshman will look up to me when I am no longer a freshman.

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