Class of 2017 CB Thomas Graham Jr. talks verbal commitment to USC

Written by Ryan Wright

Thomas Graham Jr. seemingly has the football world on a string. The 5’11”, 170 pound, cornerback, already has 11 scholarship offers and a clear cut vision of where he wants to play his college ball.

On Wednesday night during a massive recruiting ceremony that included nine other recruits, Graham verbally committed to USC over offers from UCLA, Arizona State, Cal, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, Washington State, Boise State, San Jose State, and Illinois.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I caught up with the new Rancho Cucamonga High School transfer from Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Corona) to get the inside scoop on why he committed to USC and a look ahead to the 2015 season.

Thomas, first, congratulations on your commitment to USC.

“Thank you.”

What influenced you to commit to USC this early in your recruiting process?

“I already knew where I wanted to go so there was no point in waiting. I didn’t want to wait too long.”

Where did the commitment take place?

“We had a ceremony for Ground Zero. There was 10 of us at Athletic Republic (sports training complex) and we all announced one by one.”

* Nine other high school players who committed on Wednesday night: Camryn Bynum (Cal), Grant Porter (Washington State), Skyler Thomas (Washington State), Jabari Watson (Arizona), CJ Harris (UNLV), Cameron Smith (SJSU), Jaquan Blackwell (SJSU), Marquise Green (SJSU) and Class of 2017 CB Tayari Venable (Washington State).

How did it feel when you verbally committed and got that part of the recruiting process over?

“It felt good, it’s a big relief. Now I can just focus on getting my game better and trying to get my fifth star.”

What drew you to USC?

“The tradition there, it’s very strong. The coaches there are coaches that I’d like to play for and I like the academics there. I know if things do not go as well as I want them to in college football I can still fallback on my diploma.”

Do you plan on taking some unofficial visits up to USC during the season?

“I plan on going to most of the USC home games this season.”

You took the field as a starter during your sophomore season last year with Eleanor Roosevelt High School, looking back what did you learn from the 2014 season?

“I learned that you have to not focus on yourself but focus on the team. The game is much faster on the varsity level than freshman football. It’s just much faster. You have to be bigger and you have to be ready. You also have to watch film because everyone else is doing it.”

Have you been doing in offseason workouts to prepare for your junior year?

“I’ve focused on my patience, my technique and my off the ball skills more.”

What are some of the training techniques that you have been doing to improve your speed and agility for coverage?

“For my speed I run track. For my technique I use a lot of cones and box drills where I cannot open up my hips until I get out of the box. I’m working on using my hands on the release of the receiver in the box. I’m working on keeping my hands on them and running them out of bounds.”

What are your goals for the 2015 season?

“My goal is to make all-state my junior year, have at least 4-5 picks this year, and help my team win league and try to win state and win a championship.”

You’re now with Rancho Cucamonga High School, are you excited about taking the field with your new team?

“Yes I’m very excited. A lot of my friends go there. I feel like we have a very good secondary. Our defense should be very good this year.”

You moved recently right?

“Yes, I moved three weeks ago.”

Will you have to sit out any games because you’ve transferred schools?

“No because I moved over there.”

Do you know how the new coaching staff will utilize you in 2015? Will you play wide receiver and continue to play corner and return punts?

“As of right now I’m playing corner, safety, and I might play receiver. It depends if I learn the offense before our first game.”

Good luck this year.

“Thanks.”

Photo credit: Thomas Graham Jr.; Thomas Graham Jr. works at a USC camp (June 2015).