South Paulding has an explosive, high-IQ playmaker emerging in junior receiver Caleb Thomas. Standing 6’1″ and 180 lbs., Thomas pairs his solid frame and good open-field speed to be a dangerous threat to score from anywhere on the field.
The junior recently turned heads statewide, grabbing the 3rd-place spot in the Top 10 Plays of the Week on the site. South Paulding was on their own 15-yard line when Thomas caught a pass over the middle, then hit another gear, and completely blew past the pursuing defense for a staggering 85-yard touchdown.
While that big play highlighted his open-field acceleration, Thomas sees this fall as a crucial milestone in his development into a complete receiver.
“I would describe this season as a good learning season; to be an elite WR, you gotta make elite blocks and catches,” Thomas said.
His versatility and willingness to do the dirty work show up clearly on film. That’s backed up with good production; Thomas has compiled 349 receiving yards, 116 return yards on just four returns, nine tackles on defense, and an impressive seven pancake blocks as a physical blocker on the outside.
When asked where he feels he has made the biggest leap since last fall, the playmaker pointed right back to his big-play ability.
“I have improved in my elite yards after catch,” he noted.
College programs are already taking notice of his dynamic skill set and 3.7 GPA, which serve as strong academic credentials. On the recruiting front, Thomas is currently in contact with Georgia Southern, Utah, and Austin Peay.
He has also been proactive on the trail, having already visited Austin Peay, the University of West Georgia, and Miami (OH).
Thomas will be a recruit to watch. He has a solid frame to build on; last week’s catch shows his excellent open-field speed, and his toughness as a perimeter blocker is a separating factor. He’s definitely a recruit on our radar for this upcoming offseason, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter/X to hear more about Thomas and standout players across the state of Georgia.
