They're back…
The St. Thomas Eagles reached the TAPPS DI state semis last season for the first time in four years – the first appearance under third-year head coach Rich McGuire. The Eagles fell to Parish Episcopal, the eventual TAPPS state champ.
So, what will they do for an encore?
McGuire talks about some of his returners who have been busy during the recruiting period.
Athlete Cameron Bonner returns after a big junior senior that saw him tally 1,647 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns. He also had a pair of interceptions.
"He burst on the scene last year as a receiver," McGuire said. "He has outstanding speed and his routes will just get better with reps. He's also a great kick returner and cornerback when we need him to play defense. He has legit Power 5 athletic ability."
Bonner has earned a dozen offers from the likes of Baylor, Virginia Tech, Houston, SMU, Utah, Pittsburgh, Illinois and Tulane, just to name a few.
Getting him the ball is 6-foot-5 QB Maddox Kopp, who comes from an athletic family of DI basketball players and a DI football player. He's the next installment.
Cameron Bonner
"Maddox is slowly gaining momentum after backing up Peyton Matocha (University of Miami) as a sophomore," McGuire said. "He's a pro-style kid who is athletic enough to hurt you with his legs. He has a very strong arm and is a 'film-rat', who makes great decisions."
Kopp has been offered by Lehigh and Cornell so far.
Kopp has a great safety-valve in Drake Martinez, a 6-foot-3 tight end who had just short of 650 yards in receiving and seven TDs. He was an all-state selection. Martinez has been offered by South Florida and Colorado State.
"Drake's upside is huge and he will graduate at only 17-years old," McGuire said. "He loves the grind. He put on 20 pounds last year and got to 220-pounds. He had 50 catches and really grew into a great blocker."
On defense is all-stater Vince Lee, who has picked up a few DIII offers.
With future college talent in the huddle, McGuire has the personnel to win a title for St. Thomas – its first in nearly 20 years.
