Notre Dame Was An All Around Perfect Fit For Cree Thomas

On Monday, Notre Dame received a massive commitment from 2025 Phoenix (Az.) Brophy College Prep cornerback Cree Thomas. The Arizona native has been a player the Irish staff has prioritized for some time now, and pushing hard for since being offered back on St. Patrick’s Day for the Pot of Gold offer event. As soon as that offer was extended, Notre Dame was going to be hard to beat. With how his former teammate Benjamin Morrison has excelled with the Irish, it’s a great mirror for potential future success. In the end, it was the full package that really intrigued Thomas. “It starts with the amazing academics,” Thomas told Irish Breakdown. “Plus all the connections I came make, it’s like unlike any other. Combine that with football, it really was an easy decision. That atmosphere is something special. Being able to play on the biggest stage, it’s just different.”

In a three week stretch earlier this season, Thomas visited for Notre Dame’s games against USC and Pittsburgh. The Irish won those games by a combined 106-27 margin. Seeing those victories were huge, but Thomas really wanted to feel all part of the campus to finalize his decision. “That final visit to Pitt really solidified everything,” he explained. “The coaches have consistently shown me so much love. It’s never just been about football. It’s been about every part of being the best athlete, student and person that I can be. “I wasn’t necessarily planning on committing,” Thomas continued. “That visit really solidified everything and I just didn’t need to see anything else. I committed a few days ago and it’s been the greatest feeling in the world to know that I am Irish.”

It’s safe to say that Thomas is ecstatic to be a member of the Notre Dame class. As are his parents, who have been sold very early on. “My parents are thrilled,” said Thomas. “We have had a lot of conversations about it. It’s the place where they wanted me to go the whole time.” A big component of solidifying the decision for Thomas were the Notre Dame coaches. They played a massive role, especially Mike Mickens.

“The coaches were super important,” Thomas began. “I have developed a great relationship with Coach Mickens. Him being my position coach, it’s really important to feel like he’s the best person to develop me all around. That piece, along with the great conversations, really helped to lead me to this decision. “There’s nothing better than knowing one of the best defensive back coaches in college football is going to be coaching me,” Thomas continued. “Seeing what Coach Mickens has been able to do with Ben (Morrison) and knowing that if I work as hard as him, I can mirror him. It’s a great example of what his coaching can do.” The Arizona native had quickly attracted the attention of several prominent PAC 12 schools, including holding offers from Oregon, Arizona State, Arizona and Cal early on. Thomas also holds offers from the Fighting Irish, Wisconsin and Purdue among others.

The 6-1, 170-pound cornerback is coming off of a outstanding sophomore campaign for Brophy College Prep. Thomas locked down one of the cornerback positions, finishing the season with 33 total tackles, one interception and six pass breakups. He also added in 1.5 tackles for loss and a half of a sack, while also being the team’s main kick and punt returner. So far as a junior, Thomas has been even better. Through 12 games, he has collected 37 total tackles, five interceptions and four more pass breakups. One of his interceptions was returned for a touchdown.