When Desert Vista quarterback Nick Thomas stepped onto campus at the United State Air Force Academy last weekend, he knew he’d found where he belonged.
“I really felt at home, the guys there were super welcoming and I really liked their personalities and how they dealt with everything,” Thomas said. “It was just a place that I felt would be best for me and my future, I’m really excited about it.”
HONORED TO SAY I HAVE OFFICIALLY COMMITTED TO THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY!!! @AFFootball @Coach_Thiessen #BOLTBROTHERHOOD pic.twitter.com/wmkX8Zaow0
— Nick (@Kickitwitnick) January 8, 2017
Air Force began recruiting Thomas before his senior year, but he had no expectations as to what the recruitment process would hold.
“It was really unexpected, I just started getting in contact with Air Force Academy during the summer before my senior season and then after the first few games they really liked what they saw so they offered,” Thomas said.
Thomas didn’t get interest from just one of the military academies…he got three. Army and Navy showed interest shortly after Air Force, he said.
“I had no idea that (Air Force) would bring the other two big academies, but I feel really blessed to be offered by all those people and the prestige that they hold.”
Desert Vista head coach Dan Hinds wasn’t surprised by Thomas’s recruitment.
“Not only his athletic ability, and his ability to be a football player, but what he’s done in the classroom as well, has set him up for these kind of opportunities,” Hinds said.
Hinds’ program at Desert Vista has played an integral role in building Thomas into the student athlete he is today, Thomas said.
Defensive coordinator, Mike France, played football at the Air Force Academy, as well, graduating in 1982. Thomas believes what he’s learned from France and the rest of the staff will help him in his future as a Falcon.
“(Coach France has) instilled similar discipline in us that I’ll have at the Academy,” Thomas said. “I know DV has prepared me for that well.”
Thomas is looking forward to taking his talent to the next level, but knows he has plenty of room to grow.
“(I’m) trying to be as humble as possible, even through success, and always just working hard no matter what,” Thomas said. “There’s always room for improvement, you can always get better.”
