Thomas ready for January after official
The first time Nick Thomas was on campus, the 2015 linebacker committed to Wisconsin.
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This weekend during his second trip and official visit, the 6-foot-1, 218-pound three-star senior was able to see what life as a student would be like when he enrolls early for classes in January.
"Everything was great," Thomas told BadgerBlitz.com. "I went up there and saw all the coaches and all the players. The game was great and we got to see the new facilities and the academics. I also got to see the brand new Varsity Quarters, the place where I'll be living when I get up there. They're huge and I can't wait to get there."
Thomas was one of seven official visitors on campus this weekend for the Badgers, a group that gelled well together while in town.
"I met all the commits who were up there this weekend, all great guys," Thomas, from IMG Academy in Florida, said. "There were five committed guys up there and two more (Olive Sagapolu and Elu Aydon) who were uncommitted.
"I think we all got along real well. It was great to see some of my future teammates and it was a great weekend on campus with Homecoming going on."
At the conclusion of the current season, Wisconsin is set to lose six scholarships linebackers to graduation. That will open up an opportunity for immediate playing time for Thomas and fellow Florida linebacker Dominic Sheppard, who also took his official this past weekend.
"I talked to coach (Gary) Andersen and coach (Dave) Aranda," said Thomas, who was hosted by Jack Cichy. "They are both family men and just great people to talk with. We talked a bit about football and how they need linebackers to step in and compete right away. They really need Dominic and I to be part of this team.
"He (Sheppard) and I were talking and we can't wait to be part of this program and get practicing. He seems like he's committed for a reason. He liked the campus, liked the coaches and liked the players. Everything seems to be great with him."
IMG Academy produces a good deal of talent annually and some of Thomas' teammates tried to get him to accompany them on visits during the fall.
"All the schools have backed off since I committed," Thomas said. "But the guys at IMG tried to get me to go on visits to Miami and Nebraska, but I'm solid to Wisconsin. The recruiters all backed off but my teammates tried to get me on some visits."
After his official, the next time Thomas plans to be on campus is when he's a student at Wisconsin during the spring semester.
"I can't wait to get up there," Thomas said. "The position open for me at linebacker and all academic opportunities make it a perfect fit. I just want to get there early and get my feet wet with the program."