Big Ten transfer Kiondre Thomas ‘thankful’ to play football this season at K-State
Whenever a college football player transfers to a new school, there is usually some level of uncertainty about the move.
Was this the right decision? Should I have stayed? What happens if things don’t work at my new school?
Those thoughts inevitably run through the minds of every transfer, even when they switched football teams under ideal circumstances. And yet, it’s hard to imagine senior cornerback Kiondre Thomas having any thoughts about leaving Minnesota for Kansas State now that he is settling into life in Manhattan.
“I just honestly feel like we’re blessed to be in the position we are to be able to play the game we love this fall,” Thomas said earlier this week during a video conference with reporters. “You’ve got people petitioning to play and be in our position, so I’m just thankful.”
Thomas has made a seemingly effortless transition to his new team since deciding to transfer away from Minnesota, where he made 75 tackles while playing in 32 games. His new coaches say there are days when he looks like the best player in K-State’s secondary, and all signs point to him starting opposite A.J. Parker at corner when the season begins against Arkansas State.
But even if he hadn’t hit the ground running like Usain Bolt in Manhattan, he would still be happy about his new home because none of his former teammates will get the chance to play football this fall. The Big Ten has postponed all of its games because of the coronavirus pandemic. Had he remained in Minnesota, he isn’t sure what he would be doing right now.
Perhaps that has served as a motivating factor to play well during preseason practice.
“He’s done a great job,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said. “He’s a really competitive young man. I’m excited for him that he’s taken the challenge to come to K-State to help our team, to help himself. He’s in the mix. He’s going to play an awful lot for us. He’s a real vocal guy, he’s a physical corner, gets his hand on guys. We’re really excited about Kiondre joining our program, and he’s going to have an impact this year.”
The Wildcats were quick to recruit Thomas when he landed in the transfer portal during the offseason. They had lots of returning talent at his position, but they wanted more and his addition has worked out well following the departures of Jonathan Alexander (opt out) and Walter Neil (transfer).
Time will tell if he can stand up to the Big 12’s high-octane offenses. The Big Ten isn’t exactly known for shootouts. But he is ready for the challenge.
“I think every defense’s objective is to stop explosive plays,” Thomas said. “As a defensive back, that’s one of our main purposes. Go out there, be technically sound, don’t miss any assignments, and you can pretty much stop those high-powered offenses. Just playing disciplined ball.”
Thomas should provide leadership to K-State’s defense after helping Minnesota win 11 games last season.
His size, 6-feet and 186 pounds, is also ideal for a cornerback in Klieman’s system.
“Since I’m an older guy and I’ve been in a system that runs a complex defense, I was able to catch onto things pretty good,” Thomas said. “All I really had to do was learn the terminology, and I felt like I would be fine for real.”
It’s easy to see why K-State was interested in the player originally from Fort Smith, Ark.
But what attracted Thomas to K-State?
“Throughout the recruiting process, this was the staff that I felt most comfortable with,” Thomas said. “Coach Klieman had a pretty good winning culture at North Dakota State, and I knew that would translate well here in the Big 12. That’s just something I wanted to be a part of for my last year.”
It sure beats watching other teams play.