Talented Redshirt Not Feeling Blue

The last five months have been a learning experience for USC freshman Jason Thomas, and this week might be his toughest challenge as he prepares for his first batch of college final exams.

Instead of worrying about his position on the Trojans’ quarterback depth chart or his athletic future as a whole, Thomas was more concerned Tuesday with studying for an upcoming test in natural geography.

“This really has been different because you really have to learn how to manage your time,” said Thomas, who redshirted this season. “But I’m really looking forward to receiving my grades. I put in a lot of hard work and, hopefully, my work will be rewarded.”

When Thomas signed with USC from Compton Dominguez High last spring, he was considered the jewel of the Trojans’ recruiting class. At 6 feet 4 and 220 pounds, he was an All-American in football and basketball and was considered one of the best all-around athletes to ever enroll at USC.

But since becoming a Trojan, nothing has gone as planned for Thomas.

A lingering ankle injury from high school got him off to a slow start once fall practice began, and he quickly fell behind sophomore Mike Van Raaphorst and fellow freshman Carson Palmer. It got so bad for Thomas that he told his family and USC Coach Paul Hackett that he planned to transfer before the Trojans’ opener against Purdue.

“I was acting under emotion then,” Thomas said. “Because of my life experiences up until then, I was unprepared. For me to come out like that was way premature. I feel that I am mature now and I am seeing things differently.”

Thomas’s biggest problem was that he wasn’t physically sound. Early this season, he finally had ankle surgery that he should have had in high school. He spent most of the season rehabilitating his injury and returned to full practice before the UCLA game.

He spent his time as quarterback of the scout team, imitating the Bruins’ Cade McNown and then Notre Dame’s group of signal callers. Every day, he gave the Trojan defense fits, displaying the eye-opening skills that made him such a celebrated recruit.

“People don’t understand that I didn’t begin playing quarterback until I got into high school in ninth grade,” Thomas said. “I wasn’t groomed to be a quarterback like Carson, I was just a football player.”

“Every coach has told me that I can be a big-time quarterback. I know that I can make plays. I just have to work on my fundamentals, and once I get that, then my athletic ability will take over.”

But despite his success on the practice field late in the season, Thomas lost ground in his quest to become USC’s quarterback of the future--at least in the eyes of most Trojan fans. That’s because Van Raaphorst and Palmer played musical chairs for most of the season before Palmer ended up getting the call for the last four games. Palmer will start in the Sun Bowl when USC plays Texas Christian on Dec. 31.

So where does that leave Thomas? With Palmer and Van Raaphorst having at least two years of eligibility remaining, the question is whether Thomas will change positions, switch to basketball or simply transfer.

So far, USC’s coaching staff has not made any plans to move Thomas, who also played defensive back and receiver in high school.

“Having [Palmer being named starter] shouldn’t have an effect on Jason,” USC offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. “None of us have truly had a chance to evaluate him because he’s been injured. It’s going to be hard to say [about Thomas’ future] until spring [football practice].”

Thomas does not want to change positions. He wants to play quarterback. And, he wants to play quarterback at USC. But he also is not counting anything out.

“It’s been disappointing because I came here out of high school with a lot of expectations for myself in my first year,” Thomas said. “I wasn’t able to fulfill my first-year dreams, but I’ve gained a life experience. I have to respond next year, and then no one will remember what happened this season. I have to bounce back strong.

“I just have to deal with this as a person. I’m really happy for Carson because we click on and off the field. Working with him can only help me. The things he does well, are things that I have to work on.”

Thomas sees his versatility as an asset and not something that will force him to switch positions.

“If my role ever ends, it will be my decision,” Thomas said. “I consider it a luxury [to play other positions] that a lot of quarterbacks do not have. It’s a blessing for me to be so athletic, not a downside. I think that I have everything that makes up a quarterback. I’m a leader and I can make big plays. The defense that got a chance to see me knows.”

For now, Thomas’ basketball career is on hold and USC Coach Henry Bibby will have to wait. Although Thomas says that he loves the sport, football is his main concern once finals are over.

“Once I take care of that [football], then maybe I will move on to other things,” Thomas said. “I can always come back to basketball.”