9/25/2002 - Football
Lenter Thomas: A Diamond in the Rough

Links associated with this release:
0
0
0

Growing up in rural Texas, Lenter Thomas recognized the pride and glory that could be attained by playing high school football in the state. The high school championship games are equivalent to the Super Bowl in some people's eyes.

"It's a part of life," said Thomas. "You can't wait until the seventh grade to play football. It's not like anything else - everyone wants to play. It would be hard to find a kid that doesn't want to play."

Despite growing up in the small community of Eagle Lake, Texas, a town about 65 miles southwest of Houston, Thomas made a name for himself during his high school days at East Bernard High School. He was named to the all-county team twice and earned varsity letters in each of his four years. Being from a small town, he did not attract the attention of many of the top colleges from across the country. That was until the Naval Academy came calling.

"By watching film on him, you could see he was a diamond in the rough and definitely had the qualities of being a Division I player," said Navy assistant coach Todd Spencer, who recruited Thomas. "He was very explosive, and it was hard for me to believe no one else was recruiting him."

Although Navy was wanting Thomas to commit, he admitted, "I really didn't know much about the Naval Academy until after the football season my senior year. One of my friends filled out a questionnaire about it, and one of the (Navy) coaches called me to see if I was interested. After that, my friend and I took a visit to Annapolis. I liked it right away, primarily the Yard."

However, Navy had to wait one more year, as Thomas attended the Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS) following his graduation from East Bernard. At NAPS, Thomas continued to play football despite becoming homesick.

"I had thought about straying away and leaving NAPS," said Thomas, "but my mother and grandfather talked me into staying. I had come back to NAPS following spring break and thought hard about going home. Being the biggest influences in my life, they kept me going down the right path."

Fortunately for Navy, Thomas did not leave NAPS. After one year in Newport, R. I. Thomas reported to the Academy in the fall of 1999. He played two years of junior varsity football before arriving on the varsity scene in the spring of 2001. He was out to prove to himself and the coaches that he could be a key contributor for the varsity squad. During his junior campaign, Thomas started seven of the 10 games in which he played, leading the team with 98 tackles. The next-closest teammate (Ryan Hamilton) finished the year with 51. He experienced arguably the best game of his career against Rice, when he posted a career-high 14 tackles. In three other games, he recorded 13 stops.

With the new coaching staff on board for the 2002 season, members of the team had to prove themselves all over again and fight for the starting positions. Thomas again earned the recognition of the coaches by showing off his ability during the spring season as head coach Paul Johnson testified, "Lenter is a guy that's a big hitter and one that has a lot of ability. You can see that he is physical, and he's got a lot of tools. He runs really well, and he packs a punch when he comes up to hit you. He's the type of guy that psychologically everyone sees as a guy who makes big plays and big hits."

Defensive coordinator and secondary coach Buddy Green agreed with Johnson.

"Lenter is a very physical player," remarked Green. "He plays all the time with full speed. He lets his actions on the field speak for him. We want him to be a team leader through his actions on the field."

With the new defensive scheme installed by Green, Thomas had to re-adapt. In the new system, "we (the safeties) roll down a little bit behind the linebackers," noted Thomas. "Whereas last year, we were mostly dropping back to play the pass. I like it better because I like to hit, and I am in themiddle of the action."

Green acknowledged that the system allows Thomas to play to the best of his ability.

"He plays well by hitting his key spots in the defensive schemes," said Green.

With the team 1-1 on the season, Thomas looks forward to showing opponents that Navy is a force to be reckoned with this season.

"How we bounce back from the loss will show what type of team we are this year," said Thomas. "I just want to go out and play mistake-free football and see where that leads. As a senior, we are focused on getting the program turned back around before we leave. I think the first win (SMU) of the season showed a lot of people that we are capable of playing with anybody."

Throughout the past spring and early this year, however, Thomas has had to battle a knee injury. With daily progress improving, Thomas admitted, "I've been playing a little tentative. Sometimes I'm scared to run or stick my head into the middle of the action. Hopefully, before long, I'll be able to return to my old self and old actions on the playing field."

Playing football for the Naval Academy brings tradition that past players such as Joe Bellino and Roger Staubach established. Thomas acknowledged that he is familiar with their accomplishments but wants to build some of his own.

"It means a lot to play football for the Naval Academy," said Thomas. "It's always nice to hear about the former players coming back for games and to have them talk about how special it was to play then. I'm sure once I'm done, it will mean a lot to me, and I will return for games. We work so hard to keep up the tradition that has been built here by our predecessors. We're trying to re-establish the winning program that Navy is known for."

With graduation a short eight months away, Thomas has set his sights on his goals after leaving Annapolis.

"Once I graduate, I'll probably do surface," said Thomas. "That's the one area that appeals to me the most."

Although he may leave Annapolis physically, he will always take with him "some of values the military instills in you, such as honor and courtesy. I'll never forget the four years I've spent here."

He also wants the best for anyone thinking about attending the Naval Academy.

"If someone was to ask me about it, I'd tell them exactly how it is here," noted Thomas. "You have to be dedicated and want to go through the experience. I think it helps if you get a chance to see it first-hand before you commit. Come and spend a day here. Look at the Yard and see if you really like it. The end result is definitely worth it. If you can get through the first year, it really pays off."

Although at one time he had thought about not staying at NAPS, Thomas stuck with it thanks to his family and proved to himself and others that he had what it took to excel on the course of life. With the right frame of mind, anyone who puts their heart and mind into it can become a Midshipmen and become the next 'diamond in the rough.'