2007 NFL Draft:
Joe Thomas Cites
Preparation as Key

By Jeremy White, NFLHS.com

Former Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Thomas made quite a name for himself during his playing years in Madison.

He impressed scouts and coaches at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in February as well, making most experts agree that he was the top tackle among this year's draft class.

Thomas has drawn comparisons to Jonathan Ogden and Tony Boselli. That's flattering praise, and Thomas hopes to live up to the expectations when he enters the league.

Thomas prepares to lead the Badgers onto the field in the Capitol One Bowl on Jan. 1.

"I think I have the athleticism and speed to match the speed I'm going to see in the NFL," he says. "Throughout my career I've played against guys who have had successful careers in the NFL."

When asked about his main assets, Thomas doesn't speak of strength, but of concentration and diligence.

"I'm very technically sound," he asserts. "I study hard and study my opponents hard. Preparation is very important to success on the football field."

The jump from high school football to college football is a large one. So, too, is the leap from the collegiate ranks to the NFL.

"The big thing at the next level is getting used to the speed," says Thomas. "That's the big jump for everybody. The techniques are definitely different, too. The strength is way higher with each level, so getting stronger is important."

What other things can high school linemen do to better their chances of playing college football, besides working to improve their speed and strength?

"Focus a lot on blitzes," Thomas says. "Draw up every blitz you can imagine and figure out how you'll react to that and block it."

Honing leadership skills never hurts either. Thomas was a leader at Wisconsin, and that is something he plans to carry into the professional ranks.

"I think I'm a great leader on and off the field," he says. "I tried to show other guys on the team how to work hard. I work hard both on and off the field and take pride in being a leader and working harder."

Thomas also played defensive end in high school as well as throwing the shot put in track and field. In fact, he was a preliminary qualifier for the Olympic Games in the shot put.

He's an advocate of branching out beyond football, saying it helps build athleticism. He's also an advocate of doing your best in the classroom.

"That's very important, no question about it," he says. "You have to be prepared to make it in the real world after football."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.