Florida State landed one of the top recruits in the country on Signing Day when five-star linebacker Matthew Thomas signed his letter of intent to play for the Seminoles.
But in Thomas’ own words, he could have been sporting Cardinal and Gold instead of Garnet and Gold. In an interview with Josh Newberg of 247Sports, which you can read in its entirety HERE, Thomas explains that he was close to signing with USC. It wasn’t until his mom said she didn’t want to sign the NLI from the Trojans that Thomas went with FSU.
Here’s a portion of the interview:
JN: So if your mom would have signed the papers you’d be a Trojan right now?
MT: Yeah, I would have been a Trojan.JN: Are you upset about that?
MT: No I think everything works out how it’s supposed to. I’m going to make the best of my situation. It’s not like I’m unhappy, I really like Florida State. It’s not a problem, I’m happy with my decision.
The situation brings to mind what happened with Arkansas running back Alex Collins and his mother — although it’s admittedly much less dramatic. Collins’ mom confiscated her son’s NLI from the Hogs on Signing Day to prevent him from signing it. Collins eventually signed with UA the next day with his dad.
It’s not completely uncommon for a parent to get involved in the recruiting process to the point of directly influencing where their son/daughter goes. Sometimes, they do have their kid’s best interest in mind. Sometimes they don’t.
Whatever the case may be in Thomas’ situation, Florida State isn’t going to complain.
Kid isnt too bright. Who would want to play for the stinking carcass that is usc over the orange bowl champs?
He should be a Cane. But I’ve seen the girls at FSU, so I understand.
Florida moms are all up in the news!
Mom stepped in and said “no way in HELL you’re playing for that scumbag out in Cali.” Good for us in the Seminole Nation. (yeah, doesn’t work so well, Florida fans see how stupid that shit sounds now?)
There’s at least one of these momma stories every signing day.
@ chris 37-26
how stupid does that sound?
Smart woman
That’s unfortunate. Let the kid play where he wants to.
Seminoles is the place to play and not in USC.Kiffin is a joke.
FSu was the higher bidder. Momma didn’t want to miss that gravy train!
Regardless of how u may feel about his mom… she didnt do it in the public eye infact u didnt here about it til what a week later. Yes the kid deserves to make his own desision; however. His mom must have seen something she didnt like about usc tradition not withstanding. He does have a rocky history here on the east coast. Thomas doesnt sound bitter or mad. And who knows why his mom really stepped in we only know she did. Glad he is a seminole but would have been happy for him if he was a trojan… ACC
She is probably smart to not have him play for USC. I doubt Kiffin will be there in couple years with all the “success” he has been having there.
In the long run, he probably made the right choice. I’m always for a kid staying closer to where he is from then taking off and going across country. I’d imagine it would be very difficult for his mother and any other family members to travel and see him play.
Now the family can at least be a part of his life and see his games. I think that’s kinda important.
akirchstein: She is probably smart to not have him play for USC. I doubt Kiffin will be there in couple
As far as him playing at USC and worrying whether or not kiffin will be their in a few years.
I think if he had signed with SC, he red shirts, kiffin gets wacked and the sanactions would be complete.
Pat Haden’s next hire will be a high profile guy that knows how to win. He will step in and be successful with kiffins players. This actually would have been an excellent year to sign with SC.