Interview and Profile of Julius Thomas, TE, Portland State

Four seasons, two conference tournament championships, two trips to the NCAA tournament—after being crowned the winningest player in Portland state college basketball history and playing for three years at Portland State, Julius Thomas decided to make the transition to college football.

Thomas went from being the most inexperienced player on the team, to having the most potential.

Regardless of the fact that he hadn’t played organized football since he was 14 years old, the one-year transition proved quite successful for Thomas, who was named to the All-Big Sky Conference team after catching 29 passes for 453 yards and having two touchdowns in 2010.

He also is physically gifted and has the perfect build to be a tight end at 6’5", 251 pounds.

One year after making the decision to start playing college football, Thomas is now looking forward to the 2011 NFL Draft and the potential of being drafted by a professional football team.

NFL Draft Scout has Thomas being taken in either the fourth or fifth round, but he could go even higher based off of his potential alone.

In several mock drafts, Thomas has been linked to the Minnesota Vikings as a later-round pick. Thomas was surprised to hear this.

“I have met with several teams, but haven’t heard from the Vikings. I know probably as much about the Vikings as an average fan. I watched several of their games last year and am familiar with a lot of players on their roster. (Visanthe) Shiancoe is one of my favorite tight ends to watch play; he is a great athlete and playmaker.”

And although Thomas hasn’t spoken with the Vikings directly yet, he has had experience with the Vikings tight end’s coach.

“Coach (Jimmy) Johnson was my tight end coach at the East-West Shrine game. I had a great time playing for him in that week of practices and know that he would be a great coach to play for.”

Although his team didn’t win the Shrine game, Thomas certainly had an impact, catching the West’s only touchdown pass in the 25-8 loss. 

Thomas isn’t the only college athlete that has tried to transition from college basketball to football throughout the years. Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and, most recently, Jimmy Graham, have all made the successful transition into the NFL.

“Jermichael Finley is a tight end I feel I have a lot in common with. He is tremendously fluid and polished in the passing game and I think I have that potential. It really amazes me how effortless he makes route running look, especially at his size.”

NFL analysts have agreed, comparing his big frame and super-sized receiver play ability to Finley.

“I think the one thing people don’t know about me is how hard I work to become the best person I can be. I spend so much time critiquing and trying to improve the person I am athletically and in life.”

A constant reminder of that is imprinted on the inside of Thomas’ arm, a tattoo that reads: “Driven.” 

“It’s a reminder to continue to put 100 percent effort into what I do.” 

If his mental outlook holds true, the sky’s the limit for this talented young man.