[BostonCard]

And Pac-12 player of the week.

https://twitter.com/stanfordfball/status...1740827648

StanfordFball: Congratulations @SollyThomas90, named @pac12 Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this year! stanford.io/2eyJGa2 #GoStanford

BC

[BostonCard]

And Pac-12 player of the week.

https://twitter.com/stanfordfball/status...1740827648

StanfordFball: Congratulations @SollyThomas90, named @pac12 Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this year! stanford.io/2eyJGa2 #GoStanford

BC

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

I predict that Thomas will be seen as a top draft prospect if he chooses to declare. He's easily the best player on this team not named McCaffrey, and so far this year even that stipulation might be up for debate.

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

I predict that Thomas will be seen as a top draft prospect if he chooses to declare. He's easily the best player on this team not named McCaffrey, and so far this year even that stipulation might be up for debate.

[BostonCard]

Arguably, he is a better draft prospect (which is not the same as "better college football player", though again, this year, Thomas is a two-time player of the week, and McCaffrey isn't).  But with McCaffrey, even last year, there was always a question of whether he could be a full time NFL running back, and the consensus was that he would be good in the right system.  Plus running backs generally don't get drafted nearly as highly as defensive linemen.  So, I think there is a better chance that Thomas gets drafted higher.

BC

[BostonCard]

Arguably, he is a better draft prospect (which is not the same as "better college football player", though again, this year, Thomas is a two-time player of the week, and McCaffrey isn't).  But with McCaffrey, even last year, there was always a question of whether he could be a full time NFL running back, and the consensus was that he would be good in the right system.  Plus running backs generally don't get drafted nearly as highly as defensive linemen.  So, I think there is a better chance that Thomas gets drafted higher.

BC

[OutsiderFan]

Thomas has the potential to be a first round pick, but his lack of size is an issue.  He's not big enough to play DT in a 4-3, and he's not explosive enough as an edge rusher in 4-3.  And he's not big enough to be a 3-4 DE in the NFL either.  If he can get up to about 290 and maintain the production he's showing this year, he will be a no doubt first round draft pick.

It's exceptionally rare for DL to come out for the draft as RS Sophs, so given all these factors, I'm imagining Thomas will return to Stanford in 2017.

[OutsiderFan]

Thomas has the potential to be a first round pick, but his lack of size is an issue.  He's not big enough to play DT in a 4-3, and he's not explosive enough as an edge rusher in 4-3.  And he's not big enough to be a 3-4 DE in the NFL either.  If he can get up to about 290 and maintain the production he's showing this year, he will be a no doubt first round draft pick.

It's exceptionally rare for DL to come out for the draft as RS Sophs, so given all these factors, I'm imagining Thomas will return to Stanford in 2017.