Logan Thomas Shines at Virginia Tech Pro Day
By Joe Vitulli
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech held its annual Pro Day in advance of the 2014 NFL draft on Wednesday. Logan Thomas, Antone Exum, Kyle Fuller and James Gayle, who all participated in the combine, participated in addition to other NFL hopefuls like Jack Tyler, Tariq Edwards for a total of 14 players. San Fransico 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly were among representatives from every NFL team on hand to see several players on both sides of the ball firsthand. The event was closed to the public and media but word has since leaked out about the performances of several Hokies.
Kyle Fuller is the top draft prospect for Virginia Tech in the 2014 draft class. He is expected to be picked in the late first round or early second round. He had a good workout building upon his excellent scouting combine numbers. Fellow defensive players Antone Exum and James Gayle also looked impressive in their latest NFL audition.
However, the day belonged to Logan Thomas as he attempted to persuade the NFL that he is a legit NFL Quarterback. After posting the fastest football speed ever thrown at the NFL combine, breaking the 60 MPH barrier last month, Thomas “put on a show” according to quarterback guru and Thomas’ personal coach George Whitfield. Thomas completed all the throws to fellow Hokie D.J. Coles, Liberty receiver Pat Kelly and William & Mary tight end Robert Asmar.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has stated that the 6 foot 6, 250 pound Thomas’s NFL future may be tight end, a notion that Thomas is doing everything in his power to dispel. His career at VT was up and down to say the least, but he carried the Hokies’ offense for the last two years in ways that few have the natural ability to do. In addition, the inclusion of Kelly and Harbaugh in attendance at today’s event increases speculation that they may take a late round flier on Thomas as a QB. Both the 49ers and Eagles, among several other teams in today’s NFL, rely on a mobile QB to play the read-option. This method of play enhances the risk of injury to the QB. But a QB who was 6 foot 6 and 250 pounds may not be as susceptible as say Robert Griffin III’s 6 foot 2 frame.