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Chase Thomas | Linebacker

Team: Stanford Cardinal

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Saints signed Stanford OLB Chase Thomas.
Thomas (6-foot-3, 244) was a four-year starter at Stanford, playing end as a freshman before moving to SAM linebacker for his final three seasons. He tallied a whopping 50 career tackles for loss, 27.5 sacks, and nine forced fumbles. Thomas ran a 4.91 forty at the Combine with a 1.64 ten-yard split. While he lacks edge speed and fluid cover skills, Thomas can win with sound pass-rushing technique. He also plays tough run defense. Thomas could stick in a wide open outside linebacker corps in New Orleans. Apr 27 - 10:39 PM

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Chase Thomas - LB - Cardinal

National Football Post's Russ Lande writes that Stanford OLB Chase Thomas is an underrated player in a 3-4 defense.

"Chase Thomas is a unique player because for teams that play 43 defenses he really has no role as he lacks the explosiveness off the ball and size to play as a defensive end and is not athletic enough to make the transition to a linebacker position," Lande writes. "However, as a 34 outside linebacker, I feel he is an under-rated prospect with the tools to not only start in the NFL, but to be a highly productive pass rusher and run defender."
Source: National Football Post
Mar 20 - 3:04 PM
Chase Thomas - LB - Cardinal

Although his value is "low" with teams that run a 4-3 defense, NFL scouts tell Russ Lande that Stanford OLB Chase Thomas is being viewed as a potential starter in a 3-4 system.

Lande adds Thomas could be an early third-round pick. It was obvious during Senior Bowl week that Thomas struggles in man to man coverage in space, but his technique to use hands and extension when pass rushing is second to none in this class.
Source: National Football Post
Feb 6 - 10:39 AM
Chase Thomas - LB - Cardinal

In his press conference, Stanford head coach David Shaw said that the game plan was to make USC one dimensional and force them to throw the football.

Despite possessing a talented quarterback and two excellent receiver, USC failed to get going on offense due to the tremendous amount of pressure that Matt Barkley faced. The amount of A-gap blitzes and twists was astounding and each seemed effective against the Trojans young offensive line. USC will get senior center Khaled Holmes back soon, but the Cardinal offered the blueprint on how to beat them.
Source: ESPN
Mon, Sep 17, 2012 02:28:00 PM
Chase Thomas - LB - Cardinal

Stanford senior OLB Chase Thomas recorded two tackles for loss, including a half sack, in Friday night's opener against San Jose State.

Thomas is a sound technique player for the Cardinal and holds his edge at the outside linebacker position. The game was much closer than expected, with Stanford only winning by three points, but Thomas' reliability certainly helps. Some will question his burst off the edge, but the senior's ability to gain hand control, press, and shed is underrated when comparing him to other rush linebacker prospects.
Sat, Sep 1, 2012 09:42:00 AM
Chase Thomas - LB - Cardinal

SI's Tony Pauline considers Stanford senior OLB Chase Thomas a seventh-round prospect.

Pauline calls Thomas an "intelligent linebacker that works hard yet" but has concerns that he is "a limited athlete with minimal quickness and speed in his game." The senior was used all over the Cardinal defense last season after inside linebacker Shane Skov's injury, similar to former Boise State prospect Shea McClellin. Thomas does not have the same burst off the edge as the former Bronco, but we think he is more technically sound, specifically with his hand use and shed ability.
Source: TFY Draft Insider
Fri, Aug 10, 2012 10:02:00 AM
Chase Thomas - LB - Cardinal

CBS Sports' Rob Rang compares Stanford senior OLB Chase Thomas to 2012 first-round pick Shea McClellin because of his versatility to fit multiple defensive schemes.

"Assuming he remains healthy and shows some improvement in his pass coverage, Thomas is a star... and could be a first-round pick," said Rang. Like McClellin, Thomas is used from a variety of sets in the Cardinal defense, blitzing from the A gap, off the edge in a two- or three-point stance, and even filled in for the injured Shane Skov at middle linebacker. We feel he is capable of such adaptability because of his play recognition, technique, and physicality to handle blockers at any level. He may not post the gaudy workout numbers other athletes will, but Thomas understands his assignment and always seems to be around the football. We agree with Rang about the first-round projection and have Thomas listed in the top-ten of our preliminary senior rankings.
Source: CBS Sports
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 10:50:00 AM
Chase Thomas - LB - Cardinal

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper considers Stanford's Chase Thomas the top senior outside linebacker in the country.

Kiper clumps together 4-3 and 3-4 linebackers, so Thomas offers a slightly different skill set than many of his listed peers. After finishing last season with 8.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss, the Cardinal defensive leader should continue to build his resume as part of an improved Stanford defense. Thomas' versatility may be his best trait, lining up as a stand-up pass rusher, defensive end, and inside linebacker.
Source: ESPN
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 10:26:00 AM