RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Merritt Island senior DeShaun Thomas never played tight end prior to high school.
After playing linebacker in youth football, Thomas got his first experience at tight end in the first game of his freshman season.
“My little league that I played on, I played only defense so I feel like I got my aggressiveness from that. I played linebacker and defensive end my whole life,” Thomas said. “Never played tight end until I got to high school. My first game, I got thrown in at tight end as a starter and from there it was just up.”
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Thomas has grown into a staple of the Mustangs' offense for three years. Now entering his senior season, Thomas is ready for his best season yet.
“It’s been successful, but not enough. I’m super grateful for what I have, but there’s more in me that people haven’t seen yet,” Thomas said. “I’m really proud seeing my 40 time go down. It’s really proving me like hard work and determination really pays off. I’m growing into my body more, my frame more. With more hard work at the next level, I will start.”
In his career, Thomas compiled 90 receptions for 1,248 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also has been a productive short-yardage rusher with 14 touchdown runs over the last two years.
“I can do everything from running the ball to catching it, blocking, defense. Pretty much everything but probably defensive back,” Thomas said. “Something that definitely took off this year as an improvement with my route running.”
Thomas is coming off his strongest season yet with a team-high 41 catches for 570 yards and 5 touchdowns. The senior also ran for 6 touchdowns last season, which ranked second on the team.
“Really just grinding and hard work,” Thomas said. “From freshman year to sophomore year, you feel like you have that time but really it flies by. At some point you get to a certain point and it’s go time. Time to look in.”
In today’s game, tight ends are recognized more for their pass catching ability. However, Thomas takes the most pride of his work in the trenches.
“I love blocking, which a lot of people don’t like doing," Thomas said. "If I can get the man in front of me in the dirt, I love it. A lot of people just like to catch it, but I like getting my hands dirty."
Thomas announced his commitment to Pitt on May 30. The senior said Panthers tight ends coach Brent Davis communicated with him early and often in the recruiting process.
“Coach (Brent) Davis probably texted me the most and put in the most building time, bonding time with me over the phone,” Thomas said. “Getting up there, I already knew what I was getting into. I just felt like I would love to work with those guys for the next 3 to 4 years.”
Thomas hopes to lead Merritt Island to a state championship for the first time since 1979. Among his individual goals include improving his 40-yard time, double-digit touchdowns and at least 40 tackles on defense.
“Really just keeping it week one. We have a thing every week that it’s week one. We don’t go week one, week two, week three. It’s week one,” Thomas said. “We’re not worried about any distractions outside of football. We’re focused on our first game and then we’ll move on from there.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Dandy Dozen: DeShaun Thomas proud of his evolution at tight end
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