NFL Draft Profile: Michigan State WR Devin Thomas

It was a long, strange path in college for Devin Thomas of Michigan State. When he played high school ball in Canton, Michigan, he dream of playing for the Michigan Wolverines. But he never got the scholarship offer he wanted and eventually went to a junior college in Kansas.

A while later, he would find his way back to the state of Michigan, only this time as a member of the rival Michigan State Spartans. Thomas flew under the radar for most of his college career, but in 2007 under new coach Mark Dantonio, he finally began to take off and became a key contributor.

Thomas is a big, physical, shifty wide receiver who is excellent at running after the catch and can also help out an NFL team a great deal by returning kicks, which he was adept at in college with Michigan State.

Teams might be concerned that he was only a top player for one season, however. That seems to be the biggest knock on Thomas. He didn't have great QB play his senior season with the Spartans, however, yet he still managed to put up great numbers and to become one of the Big Ten's most feared wide receivers.

But Thomas appears to be just scratching the surface of his potential. He seemed to be in better shape than just about any other Big Ten receiver and he recently ran some excellent times in the 4.4 range at the NFL combine which is impressive considering how strong he is. That strength combined with his leaping ability and ability to pluck the ball out of mid-air with his hands should have him come off the board in the NFL Draft at a much higher spot than previously expected.

Look for Thomas to go in the early second round or possibly late first which is saying something considering how stacked the NFL Draft is with top wide receivers this season.