As a videogame soundtrack blared in the background, Thomas DeCoud, one of the top five safeties in this year's NFL Draft, described the type of commercial ad he would create to promote himself.
“It would have to be funny. I have a great sense of humor, I must say,” he proclaimed after a moment of thought. “I would have to make people laugh. Maybe I’d make it look like a YouTube video.”
Growing up in Vallejo, Calif. as an only child, DeCoud spent many afternoons in front of the television. Soon, an infatuation with commercials developed. From this fixation came DeCoud’s career goal—he wanted to make commercials. Well, at least until football came into the picture.
His oldest football memory is from his first practice. Running around on the football field as a nine-or-ten-year-old, he was excited to be involved in the sport. After a full practice, he was hooked.
What made him love the sport?
“That’s easy,” DeCoud admits. “I liked how you could hit people and not get arrested for it.”
The U.C. Berkeley alum has enjoyed each step he has taken toward the NFL. One can trace DeCoud’s footsteps in various California cities—beginning in Vallejo, continuing on to Richmond (his last two high school years), ending up at U.C. Berkeley in 2003, at the trail's zenith.
The end of DeCoud's current journey leads to the beginning of a new one; on April 26-27, the weekend of the NFL Draft, Thomas DeCoud will know which NFL team will be the home of his rebirth.
From the time 23-year-old former University of California safety Thomas DeCoud found out he was athletically blessed, he wasn’t afraid to flaunt it.
Gino Deluna, a former classmate, recalls spending numerous elementary school recesses watching DeCoud perform impressive feats—at least impressive to the boys who would gather to watch.
Using the playground as his stage, he did not disappoint.
As the boys lined the sidelines of the basketball court of Glen Cove Elementary School in Vallejo, the confident DeCoud would put on a slam-dunking show for his eager classmates.
“We were all pretty excited,” Deluna explained. “We were just in the sixth grade and it was amazing to see someone our age dunk.”
DeCoud’s elementary school talents weren’t limited to the basketball court, however. Any chance he had, the future Cal Berkeley football player would show off his abilities. When recess was over, the students would walk back to class in a single-file line. Even during this routine DeCoud, the tallest sixth grader, found a way to awe his classmates.
“After recess, kids would do pull-ups on the classroom doorframe,” recalls Deluna. “Out of everyone, he would do the most.”
Although Deluna spoke about a sixth-grade DeCoud, his observation rings true today: “He was a phenomenal athlete.”
Once his mind was made up to seriously pursue a football career, DeCoud’s family was nothing but supportive. Present through every stage of his football progression, DeCoud credits his family for keeping him focused.
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Andrew Kneeland about 1 year ago
Great profile, Claire! Very informative!
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Evan Aczon about 1 year ago
That video is a classic. As a Cal student, the defensive side of the Bears has quietly been solid in the NFL, Matt Giordano (IND), Desmond Bishop (GB), Dante Hughes (IND), they've all done pretty well. But DeCoud is a sick safety, and will be hard-hitting until he can't anymore.
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Kyle Goings about 1 year ago
Great story. Hopefully DeCoud gets drafted by a west coast team. One little thing, you shouldn't say "U.C. Berkeley," it makes CAL fans cringe. It's like calling USC the University of Southern California; it's just not necessary. Go Bears!
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Claire Reclosado about 1 year ago
Really? I grew up with a lot of people who went to Berkeley and they refer to it as "U.C. Berkeley." Never once did anyone I know say it made them cringe.
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Avinash Kunnath about 1 year ago
Nice profile Claire! As a Cal blogger I really appreciated you taking the time to sit down with one of ours.
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Kyle Goings about 1 year ago
Maybe its just me. :)
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