4-Star CB Thomas Graham Balances USC Commitment While Looking at Other Schools
Hours before drills commenced at The Opening's Los Angeles regional camp on Feb. 28, Thomas Graham envisioned a successful day for himself.
The 4-star defensive back aimed to make a statement.
"Last year, I feel like I dominated the [2016 class]. Now I feel like I should do more than just dominate," Graham told Bleacher Report. "I should put on a show for everybody and prove I'm the No. 1 cornerback in the nation."
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
He impressed enough throughout the action-packed afternoon to earn an invitation to The Opening national finals, an elite prospect showcase held in July at Nike's world headquarters. Graham will continue his quest to climb national recruit rankings in Beaverton, Oregon, where he'll face many of America's premier high school receivers in a competitive environment.
"My father got me involved in the game at a young age, so my football IQ is very high," he said. "I recognize stuff a lot faster than other people. I've been running track my whole life, so that helps me on the field. And lastly, I stay patient with receivers at the line, take chances when I'm in good position and feel like I make most of those plays."
Rated No. 6 nationally among cornerbacks and No. 39 overall in 2017 composite rankings, Graham showcased his skills throughout a dominant junior campaign at Rancho Cucamonga High School in California. The 5'11", 170-pound playmaker collected 103 tackles, four fumble recoveries and one pick-six, according to MaxPreps.
Graham, who collected scholarship offers from Arizona State, Oklahoma, UCLA and Washington as an underclassman, committed to USC last summer. He maintains that pledge is still in place today, though it's far from secure.
Many would label it a soft verbal pact, considering his interest elsewhere.
Graham isn't shy about an open-door policy when it comes to alternative schools. He identified Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Arizona and Utah among programs that have gained positive momentum in his recruiting process.
His offer list is 15 universities deep, according to Graham, and he hopes it continues to grow.
Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and Oregon would be welcome additions to the collection, Graham told B/R.
"Those are schools I watched growing up and I can see myself playing there. If they show me the contact, I would really show them love," he said.
USC will have another chance to stabilize things with the coveted defender on March 8, when Graham plans to visit campus. The Trojans have undergone significant changes—replacing both the head coach and defensive coordinator—since he pledged to the program.
Graham said it wasn't easy to watch the drama unfold last fall, but he believes the Trojans are now headed in a desirable direction.
"USC is moving forward," he said. "It's too big a program and too many kids from Southern California go there for it not to be great. They just had a lot of distractions last season, and I feel like this year is going to be a fresh start for them."
Graham, who may consider enrolling at college early next winter, will spend time with the freshly settled USC staff next week. The Trojans are sure to deal with competition at every turn of his recruitment.
"I want to put myself out there and give every college coach the chance I gave USC," he said. "If coaches want to communicate with me, I'll give them that opportunity."
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
