Tuesday, May 9, 2023

2023 Lions UDFA CB Starling Thomas

Scouting Reports:






Articles:

NFL Draft: Starling Thomas V of UAB Could Be On Track To Becoming Pro Starter (4-27-23);  https://herosports.com/fbs-nfl-draft-starling-thomas-uab-cpcp/

UAB 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports Include Starling Thomas V, Kelle Sanders, and Tyler Scott (Starling Thomas V, CB - Strengths: Short, but feisty corner with return potential. Quick flipping his hips in transition, mixes it up with receivers throughout the route, and works to get his head back around to track the pass. Displays good recognition, flashes several ball skills, and has a solid closing burst. Fires upfield and gives effort defending the run.  Weaknesses: Possesses poor hands for the interception. Must do a better job positioning himself against opponents in coverage. Lack of height will result in coverage mismatches.  Overall: Thomas has displayed consistent improvement in his game and ended up with 15 PBUs last season. He played well during Shrine Bowl practices and has enough ability to make an NFL roster as a dime back/return specialist.) (4-19-23):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/uab-2023-nfl-draft-scouting-reports-include-devodric-bynum-dewayne-mcbride-kelle-sanders/

The 2023 All-Juice Team: Where this year's selections ended up during and after the NFL Draft (He was a standout at the East West Shrine bowl and is a solidly built 5-foot-10 slot corner with a 6-foot-3 wingspan. A track athlete type who will have to work on his dedication against the run, Thomas has clocked a 40-yard dash hovering in the 4.28 to 4.30 range. His speed and quickness will keep him in most any play on the field. One AFC talent evaluator praised Thomas’ ability to burst and close on a route. The Lions figure to benefit from his speed/wingspan combo.) (4-18-23):  https://sports.yahoo.com/the-2023-all-juice-team-terez-paylors-legacy-lives-on-with-nfl-draft-prospects-hed-have-loved-140030559.html

2023 NFL Draft Rankings: Sam Monson’s top 20 cornerbacks, including Joey Porter Jr. at No. 2 (SLEEPER - Starling Thomas V, UAB:  Thomas has a tendency to get beaten for a big play every now and then with a lapse, but his down-to-down coverage is excellent. Last season, he allowed a catch on just 37.9% of passes into his coverage, one of the best rates in the country. Three of the 22 catches he gave up did go for touchdowns, though. He still has enough size and tenacity to become a player at the next level.) (4-13-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-cornerback-rankings-sam-monson-devon-witherspoon-joey-porter-jr

Pro Day Speed Burners: 6 Forty Times That Caught NFL Scouts Attention (The debate as to just who the fastest player in the 2023 NFL Draft Class may never be settled but UAB CB Starling Thomas [5096/194] is certainly in the conversation. Previous reports indicated that his in-game speed had reached up to 24mph on the Catapult technology and he did not disappoint at his pro day. Scouts in attendance had Thomas in the high 4.2 / low 4.3 range during his forty-yard dash attempts (the school website posted 4.30). He added a 37.5” vertical jump and a 10-foot-5 broad jump. The slot specialist possesses the talent and speed to be considered a solid late-round draft selection.) (3-28-23):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/pro-day-speed-burners-6-forty-times-that-caught-nfl-scouts-attention

Pro Day News and Rumors: Drake Maye Throws for North Carolina, DeWayne McBride Sidelined at UAB, and More (Latest News and Rumors Out of UAB - There was a large group of scouts on hand for UAB’s Pro Day last week. The Blazers have two of the more highly-rated non-Combine players in this year’s draft. Cornerback Starling Thomas V, who stood out during Shrine Bowl practice, really lit up the pro day. He measured just over 5’10”, timed in the low 4.3s in the 40 (4.32), and touched 37.5″ in the vertical jump and 10’5″ in the broad jump.  He also completed 14 reps on the bench. Thomas looked smooth
and fluid in drills. The Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts have shown interest in Thomas. He also met with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets assistant defensive coach Ricky Manning Jr., who was on-site. Thomas cemented himself as a Day 3 pick.) (3-27-23):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/pro-day-news-and-rumors-drake-maye-throws-for-north-carolina-dewayne-mcbride-sidelined-at-uab-and-more/

Lions 2023 draft: A cornerback for every round (5th round: Starling Thomas V:  Thomas earned a Shrine Bowl berth thanks to 18 pass breakups over the last two seasons. He made Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list for his strength and speed; he won a state title in Alabama in the 100-meter dash in high school and was GPS timed at over 24 MPH while at UAB.  The speed definitely shows on film (see their game vs. LSU), and Thomas can play a physical style on the outside. He’s used to playing press-man, though his technique needs some polish. Thomas also offers some value as a return specialist option.) (3-25-23):  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/lions-2023-draft-cornerback-prospect-for-every-round/

Biggest sleepers in the 2023 NFL Draft class (CB STARLING THOMAS V, UAB:  Well-built cornerbacks with elite make-up speed will almost always have a spot on NFL rosters, and Thomas fits that bill. It also helps when that cornerback was one of the stingiest in college football last season. He allowed only 257 yards and 22 catches on 58 targets all year with nine pass breakups. While he may not hit everyone’s height threshold at a quarter inch under 5-foot-10, Thomas is very well put together at 194 pounds and still has a 6-foot-3 wingspan. He put on a show at the Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas and would be a steal if he slips to mid-Day 3.) (2-15-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-biggest-sleepers-2023-nfl-draft-class

Monday 2023 Shrine Bowl West Team Practice Report: WR Demario Douglas and S Trey Dean III Making Big Impressions (More Monday Standouts - Starling Thomas V is a dude. His college tape provides evidence enough, but the Shrine Bowl is all about driving the point home. That’s what Thomas has done this week. Outside of Kei’Trel Clark on the East team, you could make the case that Thomas has been one of the best, if not the next best cornerback.  At around 5’10”, 194 pounds, he’s slightly smaller than the median. That doesn’t seem to bother him too much, though. He’s a feisty competitor who’s constantly in his opponent’s grill, and he notched a PBU as a result. Thomas has great short-area agility and foot speed, as well as the explosiveness to track receivers downfield, limit separation, and vacuum up space ahead of throws.) (1-30-23):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/monday-2023-shrine-bowl-west-team-practice-report-wr-demario-douglas-and-s-trey-dean-iii-making-big-impressions/

Sunday 2023 Shrine Bowl Risers and Sliders: Jake Bobo and Jalen Moreno-Cropper Display Speed and Separation (Starling Thomas V, CB, UAB:  Starling Thomas V may be short in stature, as he measured in under 5’10”, but he plays big football. Thomas showed terrific ball skills and did not back down from any challenge.  He’s very quick, stayed with receivers all over the field, and had several nice pass breakups. Thomas did get outmatched on occasion but displayed enough ability today to get late-round consideration as a dime back.) (1-29-23):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-shrine-bowl-risers-sliders-practice-sunday/

2023 NFL Draft: Shrine Bowl Prospects to Outperform NFL Draft Grade (CB Starling Thomas V, UAB 
[Height: 5096 | Weight: 194 | Hand: 0968 | Arm: 3038 | Wing: 7500].  A fast, physical, freak, Thomas demonstrates a natural feel for the game. He has been praised by coaches for his maturity, leadership and preparation. A high school track standout, he has been timed at 24.2mph on the GPS! That is rare speed for Thomas, who is also an explosive return man.  Scout Take: “He’s naturally fast. He was a 10.4 100-meter champion in high school. How does a guy like that gain muscle; he’s gained 25 pounds and continue to get faster? That was him focusing on the things he needed to do.”) (1-28-23):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/.amp/news/2023-shrine-bowl-prospects-outperform-nfl-draft-grade

Sunday 2023 Shrine Bowl West Team Practice Report: Colby Sorsdal and Brent Laing Improve on Day 2 (Thomas has also been a solid player thus far. The UAB product — who had 15 deflections in 2022 — is explosive and has the speed to contend with anyone. But he’s also a feisty, chippy competitor who’s remained in receivers’ grills all week.) (1-29-23):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/sunday-2023-shrine-bowl-west-team-practice-report-colby-sorsdal-and-brent-laing-improve-on-day-2/
Posted by LionsFan at 2:59 PM

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