National Signing Day 2011: DeAnthony Thomas Commits to Oregon Football

The Ducks walked away with a huge steal in signing 4-star prospect DeAnthony Thomas, who is the 16th-rated prospect in the nation and No. 1 athlete according to ESPN.

Thomas was originally committed to USC, but took a secret recruiting trip to Oregon the past week. The trip was not known by any members of the media or USC until Thomas had already completed his 48-hour trip.

Many media members thought something was going on already. Why would a "die-hard USC commit" take a secret trip to Oregon if he didn't plan on signing with the Ducks?

Thomas, nicknamed Black Mamba, stands at 5'9", 160 lbs. and is one of the most dynamic players in the 2011 recruiting class. With 4.4 speed, Thomas makes up for his small size with that speed that allows him to beat any man on run, pass or coverage.

Despite his small stature, Mamba is pretty tough for his size and is a great wrap-up tackler. Look at Ahmad Black and LaMichael James—Mamba compares to these two in almost every way at the safety and running back position, the two positions Mamba is most likely to play, respectively. 

Mamba can play any defensive back position or running back for the Ducks, most likely defensive back with some offensive snaps due to Oregon's deep receiving and running back corps.

The only real downside to Mamba signing with Oregon is the fact that running back is filled by LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and Lache Seastrunk.

However, Mamba can bring greatness to the Oregon secondary. With Talmadge Jackson, the senior starting cornerback graduating, the Ducks lost a huge part of their secondary. Mamba makes up for that.

A shutdown corner, Mamba will join an Oregon secondary that already has Cliff Harris and John Boyett. The Ducks will now be able to defend the pass-heavy Pac-12.

Thomas has great feet, athleticism and speed and could be a starter his freshmen year. With the signing of Thomas, the Ducks added to their already great secondary. When Harris and Boyett graduate in two years, Thomas will give the Ducks another defensive back to go along with other Oregon signee Ifo Ekpre-Olomu in the secondary.

The Ducks have brought in a great class this year. With Jerrard Randall, the big three receivers (Sumler, Blackmon and Kelly), Andre Y., Colt Lyerla and Anthony Wallace, the Ducks have a bright future if all of those guys stay for their senior years.

If the Ducks can't sign a top-notch running back prospect by then, Mamba could even move back to running back.

Mamba is bringing great athleticism for the Ducks, and a highly rated prospect that the Ducks rarely get, the only ones being Haloti Ngata and Jonathan Stewart.

With Thomas signing with the Ducks, 5-star recruits could be paying attention to the Ducks and sign with them.

Highlights of Mamba can be seen here.