Yasir Thomas
Safety
Lafayette College
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Yasir Thomas: 5’11, 212 and I have not tested for the 40 yet.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall experience at the FCS Bowl in Daytona Beach, FL.
Yasir Thomas: My overall experience was great. It was good to compete against the best FCS talent across the country as well as meeting some great dudes as teammates. The fact that everyone was out there chasing the same goal added another bonus to the experience.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Yasir Thomas: I was fully committed to Lafayette coming out of high school.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Lafayette?
Yasir Thomas: I chose Lafayette because of the life after college with alumni helping secure jobs. Along with the weight the Lafayette degree holds. I was also able to compete at a division one level to chase my dream of becoming a professional athlete.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Yasir Thomas: As a player, my strengths are play recognition, tackling, playing physical and fast, versatility as a player (being able to play multiple positions) and communication.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Yasir Thomas: I want to improve my man coverage and ball skills as well as all my strengths that I had mentioned because you should always work to consistently get better.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your overall career.
Yasir Thomas: My overall career was great. Two times back-to-back all-league selection. I also had the opportunity to compete for a conference championship two out of my four years.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Yasir Thomas: I think the highlight of my career was being named team captain because being held to that regard by your team, as well as your coach is big. But on the field, the highlight of my career was being a consistent player, that developed every year as a defensive player.
Alex Khvatov: What was the biggest thing that you took away from your coaching staff?
Yasir Thomas: The biggest thing that I took away from Coach McFadden is perfect your craft and perfect your technique. 10,000 reps, it takes that many times for it to become a habit.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a DB?
Yasir Thomas: I feel as though the most important trait for a defensive back is patience, hip mobility and short area quickness.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Yasir Thomas: New York Giants.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Yasir Thomas: Jamal Adams.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?
Yasir Thomas: Key formations, motions, personnel, alignments of offensive players.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Yasir Thomas: Malik Hamm, Otis Thrasher, DaRon Gilbert, TayJon Martin, Romeo Wykle, Keegan Shoemaker and Selwyn Simpson.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Yasir Thomas: Chase Edmonds.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Yasir Thomas: The part I enjoy most about football is the way it brings family and different people from different backgrounds together, but I also equally enjoy the work you have to put in to work to become a good player.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Yasir Thomas: A leader is one who leads by example, and encourages/motivates others as well as holding him/herself accountable. A leader is one who impacts the lives of those he is leading.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Yasir Thomas: My hobbies are painting, exercising, listening to music and I like to rap as well
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Yasir Thomas: After football is over, I want to look into wealth and investment management as well as marketing around sports.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Yasir Thomas: Tenacious, humble, funny, respectful and sociable.
