Xavier Thomas Draft Networking Interview: 'I’m Going To Be A Game-Changing Player' (Interviews)
Interviews

Xavier Thomas Draft Networking Interview: 'I’m Going To Be A Game-Changing Player'

Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
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Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas is an experienced and proven prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. A steady contributor for the previous six campaigns, Thomas leaves the Tigers for the next level with 17.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss under his belt. Thomas is well-prepared to step into an immediate role.

Thomas recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about overcoming adversity, his pass-rush arsenal, his experience at the NFL Combine, which teams have shown interest in his services, and more.

JM: What a journey. Your story has been well documented by the program. You went through some difficulties during the COVID season. You then suffered a season-ending foot injury during the 2022 season. What did those lessons teach you about overcoming adversity?

Xavier Thomas: It really taught me how to treat my body like a pro. You never want to go through what I did in 2020 with Covid during my junior season. I went through some things but I overcame that adversity.

It taught me to take every day as they come. I learned how to train like a pro, how to eat like a pro. I take way better care of my body nowadays. I had to learn that lesson. You learn that over time while going through what I’ve been through.

Those first few years, I got by on my talent. My experiences taught me to never get complacent. I learned to stay hungry and how to constantly put in work. I’m working towards achieving everything I want. I was a young guy that needed to go through a humbling experience in my junior year after my freshman and sophomore years. It taught me a lot of different lessons in how to be professional with everything I do.

JM: You played with Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, and many others. What did you learn from watching those guys on a daily basis?

Xavier Thomas: I learned how to train and picked up some great daily habits from those guys. It goes back to some of what I said earlier. My freshman year was their last season coming out. They were all projected to be top picks. You would think they were a bunch of walk-ons the way they put in work.

Seeing how hungry they always were, the way they never got complacent, it definitely taught me a lot. They always put in extra work on the practice field. I watched them closely on a daily basis. They stayed so consistent. I definitely picked up some great habits from those guys.

JM: You recently participated at the NFL Combine. You ran an elite 4.62 and leaped a 10-foot broad. How would you grade your overall performance?

Xavier Thomas: Me personally, I would probably give it a C because I actually cramped up like 10 minutes before I ran the 40. I decided to run anyway because I trained so hard for it. I definitely have a faster result in me. I'm hoping to run faster at Pro Day later this week. I’m definitely running the 40 again at Pro Day.

Other than that, everything else went fine at the NFL Combine.

JM: A faster time would be excellent at Pro Day. You leave Clemson with 17.5 sacks to your name. How would you describe your pass rush arsenal?

Xavier Thomas: I would say it’s becoming a deeper arsenal as I continue working my counter rushes. I was pretty one-dimensional when I first came in. Like I said, I was getting by on pure talent those first few seasons.

My last couple of years is when I really started to work my craft and hone in on my arsenal. I started converting speed to power and doing a better job working my counter moves against offensive tackles.

I’m both a speed rusher and a power rusher. I can utilize a long arm as well. Those are the different types of things that have made me a more well-rounded pass rusher. I’ve added enough moves to my toolbox to where I’m capable of keeping tackles guessing nowadays.

JM: Speaking of that long arm, you have good length with nearly 33-inch arms. How do you use it to your advantage?

Xavier Thomas: I definitely try to use length to my advantage. I’m longer than most defensive ends. I like to use length to get great leverage against opposing offensive tackles. Most tackles are obviously 6-foot-5 or taller. I always want to gain the leverage advantage against those types.

I can win the inside or outside shoulder. I can throw my long arm into the mix. I love using length and leverage to my advantage.

JM: You do a great job of that on tape. With the NFL Combine now in our rearview mirror, do you have any Top 30 visits coming up?

Xavier Thomas: I have an in-person visit with the Cincinnati Bengals coming up. We’re scheduling more in-person visits after Pro Day. 

JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. We've appreciated your time today. What kind of impact is Xavier Thomas going to make at the next level?

Xavier Thomas: I’m going to be a game-changing player. A lot of people don’t realize that I haven’t reached my performance ceiling yet. Whatever organization drafts me is going to get a versatile talent that can play multiple positions.



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