Landen Thomas’s dreams foreshadowed opportunity at Georgia
MOULTRIE, Ga. (BVM) – At the Thomas household, the TV was designated for football on the weekends. The sport was ingrained into the head of a young Landen Thomas. After knowing he wanted to give it a shot, he convinced his dad to try it at the age of 5.
Landen and his brother started playing and envisioned the possibility of getting to play college football at the highest level.
“That was our dream,” Landen said.
Years later, that dream is right around the corner.
Now a high school junior at Colquitt County High School, Thomas is the No. 22 player in the 2024 class according to 247 Sports and the No. 1 tight end in the country.
To no surprise, Thomas was recruited by almost every program in the nation.
“It was about taking the time to see who really wants you and where you can strive,” Thomas said. “It wasn’t really too stressful for me.”
The answer to both of those questions for Thomas was the University of Georgia. He announced his commitment to the in-state Bulldogs prior to his junior season.
“I have a good relationship with the coaches in Coach Hartley and Coach Smart,” Thomas said. “It’s my home state.”
The way that Georgia has been able to utilize their tight ends was also intriguing to Thomas, as they have turned both Darnell Washington and Brock Bowers into projected first-round picks.
But Thomas is not the only Colquitt County Packer headed to Georgia. Classmate Ny’Quavion Carr will be heading to Athens with him.
“It’s really cool,” Thomas said. “Just going there with someone you’ve known since like sixth grade. We already have that bond and connection.”
With Thomas’s prospect status, there are more eyes on him than the typical high school football player. An unfair situation or not, he does not really view it as any type of pressure, more so just a part of the gig.
“You just have to watch what you do,” Thomas said. “You just have to make sure you’re doing the right thing at all times.”
This is nothing new for Thomas though, as that is just how he was raised. Thomas was always shown how something as simple as integrity could pay dividends, on or off the field.
Thomas’ father motivated Landen even in Pop Warner, putting in extra work after practices. Now he is reaping the reward.
“He just always pushed me to get better,” Landen said.
Thomas still has a goal to get a state championship for Colquitt County, before he plans to give it his all for the Georgia football program.
Then maybe he’ll be the inspiration for the next generation of kids to live out their dream.
