Landen 罢丑辞尘补蝉鈥檚 dreams foreshadowed opportunity at Georgia
MOULTRIE, Ga. (BVM) 鈥� 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.
鈥淭hat was our dream,鈥� Landen said.
Years later, that dream is right around the corner.聽
Now a high school junior at Colquitt County High School, Thomas is the No. 22 player in the 2024 class according to and the No. 1 tight end in the country.
To no surprise, Thomas was recruited by almost every program in the nation.
鈥淚t was about taking the time to see who really wants you and where you can strive,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 really too stressful for me.鈥�
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.
鈥淚 have a good relationship with the coaches in Coach Hartley and Coach Smart,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my home state.鈥�
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鈥橯uavion Carr will be heading to Athens with him.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淛ust going there with someone you鈥檝e known since like sixth grade. We already have that bond and connection.鈥�
With 罢丑辞尘补蝉鈥檚 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.
鈥淵ou just have to watch what you do,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淵ou just have to make sure you鈥檙e doing the right thing at all times.鈥�
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鈥� father motivated Landen even in Pop Warner, putting in extra work after practices. Now he is reaping the reward.
鈥淗e just always pushed me to get better,鈥� Landen said.聽
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鈥檒l be the inspiration for the next generation of kids to live out their dream.
