Michael Thomas, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound three-star cornerback/wide receiver from Nimitz High School in Houston, Texas, still says that Stanford and Northwestern are his two favorites. "Northwestern and Stanford are my top two because of their academics and that I think I'll be able to play early at both places," Thomas said. "I really like all the coaches at both schools and just feel comfortable there."
Thomas took an official visit to Northwestern on Sept. 15. "They've had a few big wins this season and I think it's a team on the rise," he said. "They said they'd want me to return punts and kicks and maybe even see some time at receiver."
He also visited Iowa State on Oct. 13 for the Texas game. "It was a great experience," he said of his visit. "I loved the college atmosphere and how everything there is about football. It's very different than Northwestern or Stanford. The fans are great and I like how crazy the atmosphere was. The student section didn't sit down at all. Regardless of the score (Cyclones lost 56-3) they never stopped yelling or supporting the team. That's something that I could really see myself getting used to. They just all seemed like one big family."
On Dec. 1, Thomas hopes to visit Stanford for the California game. "It's not set yet, but that's when I'd like to go," he said. "Stanford is recruiting me the hardest and they make sure that they talk to me or my parents every week. They send me lots of mail and are always talking to me about my test to make sure I can qualify to get in."
Thomas has a 3.4 core GPA and a 950 SAT, which he is retaking on Nov. 3. "Stanford says they want me to score over 1000 on the math and reading, so I should be fine.
"I knew coach Jim Harbaugh was gonna get things turned around at Stanford," he said. "I love how they are competing hard and getting things done. They beat USC and that's just the first step in turning the program around."
Although he doesn't have dates set yet, Thomas says he also plans to visit Boise State and Missouri officially. "Boise State has been recruiting me since the beginning and I like how they play," he said. "I think I'd fit in well with their defense and the whole system there. They are a proven winner."
Thomas says he plans to decide in late December or early January. "By then I'll have taken my visits and should know who really wants me the most," he said.
Nimitz High School is off to a perfect 6-0 start. Thomas has 21 rushes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. He also plays quarterback for his team and has completed 21 of 37 passes for over 300 yards and two touchdowns.