Could Vanderbilt Be Adding Another Mountain West QB? CSU's Pete Thomas Rumored to be Considering Nashville

by Christian D'Andrea on Jan 18, 2012 3:36 PM EST in Vanderbilt Commodores Football

Last year, Vanderbilt snagged a Mountain West quarterback who had made waves as a freshman. In 2012, James Franklin might do it again.

Colorado State sophomore quarterback Pete Thomas - a former four-star recruit who set the MWC's freshman passing yardage record in 2010 - is rumored to be leaving Fort Collins. His potential destination? Nashville.

A Colorado Examiner report suggested that the pocket passer could be headed to Vanderbilt to play out his collegiate career - though a conflicting report denies that Thomas has made up his mind. Thomas officially left the university on Tuesday, the first day of CSU's second semester.

This would echo a similar situation in 2011, when Wyoming's Austyn Carta-Samuels left the MWC to play for James Franklin. Carta-Samuels, the 2009 Mountain West Freshman of the Year, had reportedly decided on Vanderbilt in the spring of 2011. However, neither the team nor the player could confirm anything until training camp started later that fall.

Carta-Samuels redshirted last season to fulfill his transfer requirements with the NCAA. He's expected to push Jordan Rodgers for the starting spot at quarterback, and will also have to fend off Josh Grady, Kris Kentera, and incoming freshman Patton Robinette for reps at the position.

Thomas's arrival would be a boost to the Commodores' depth, but also crowd the lineup at quarterback even more than it already is. Currently, the team has seven players for the 2012 season listed at QB. The 'Dores recently converted touted freshman LaFonte Thorogood to running back in order to give him a better chance at playing time. However, if Thomas were to transfer, he would be eligible in time to replace a graduating Rodgers and make a strong case to start for Vanderbilt.

Pete Thomas would be a solid addition for the Commodores. He's got a big arm and the size to take advantage of weapons like Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd in Vanderbilt's vertical passing attack. However, his path towards playing time in Nashville will have several roadblocks as James Franklin continues to add to a growing stable of talented athletes and skill players.

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QB

I want a couple of linemen headed this way. As a former lineman, that is the position that excites me. You can never have too many centers and tackles.

by vujoe on Jan 18, 2012 3:43 PM EST reply actions

I love the recruiting rumors

But there’s also a lot of rumors out there about Franklin over recruiting and promising play time when he already has 4 or 5 or more others already lined up to compete. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a good thing and probably just puts us right up there w/ the other SEC schools but can too much ever become a bad thing?

by VandyGold28 on Jan 18, 2012 3:49 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, this could be a case of that

Although trotting out VandyImport’s 11-QB lineup could be AWESOME.

Anchor of Gold - for all 45 Vanderbilt fans out there.

by Christian D'Andrea on Jan 18, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Make some LB's out of them?

Who needs Kiel?

by VandyVern on Jan 18, 2012 4:40 PM EST reply actions

The thing that Thomas adds to the mix is that he's huge

6’5", 225. He’ll be able to stand in the pocket and deliver, and he may have the best pure throwing resume of anyone who would be taking snaps in 2013. So that’s a definite plus.

Anchor of Gold - for all 45 Vanderbilt fans out there.

by Christian D'Andrea on Jan 18, 2012 5:02 PM EST reply actions

Robinette

He is also 6’5" but 200 coming out of high school.

by ATLVANDY on Jan 18, 2012 7:32 PM EST up reply actions

I hate MrSec.com

Why does this guy hate Vandy so?

http://www.mrsec.com/2012/01/vus-stallings-takes-issue-with-uks-schedule/

Any time Stallings is mentioned he’s pretty quick to bash him

by VandyGold28 on Jan 18, 2012 7:10 PM EST reply actions

Josh Dawson

I’m worried we are losing him to UGA. A recent AJC article suggests he is leaning that way – as in, his own comments seem to suggest that. After losing McDonald, that would make 2 or our 3 4-stars out the door. But, I guess nothing is done until it’s done.

by Pope Vanderbilt on Jan 18, 2012 9:33 PM EST reply actions

Dawson may be the most likely recruit to go elsewhere, BUT

AJC wants Atlanta area readers, Atlanta area readers want to know that good players are going to UGA.

AJC rarely has any info that the other sites don’t already have. Dawson could leave, but our whole class is relatively safe. Some guys could leave, but few if any are in severe danger (except for Andre McDonald who already decommitted, but sounds likely to recommit anyway).

From what I’ve read, I do not believe that Dawson is leaning away from Vanderbilt. He could end up elsewhere, but I think the other schools still have work to do. Richt has an in-home I think this week, and Dawson will be on campus with us this weekend or next (not sure which).

As an aside, if Dawson does leave, the AJC will very likely not be breaking the story.

by The Goche on Jan 18, 2012 11:59 PM EST up reply actions