Pitt Football: Todd Thomas Named To ESPN.com's Big East Freshman Team

ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson named her All Big East freshman team for 2011. Only one Panther made the squad - linebacker Todd Thomas.

Funny, but it seems like Thomas has been around the program for a while. Part of that's because he redshirted last year and maybe it was because of the hype around him signing, but this was his first year on the field. He played pretty well, in my opinion. He had decent numbers for a linebacker (47 tackles, an interception, 1 1/2 sacks, and a forced fumble) and I was definitely pleased with his play this year. The reason he was able to do some of that was because he was seemingly all over the field.

I said originally back when he signed that I preferred him on defense and Todd Graham made that a reality this Spring.

Thomas is extremely athletic and while I could see him playing elsewhere, I'm really hoping whoever the next coach is lets him settle in at linebacker. The last thing the kid needs is another Dorin Dickerson situation. While Dickerson had a big senior year, finally finding a home at tight end, it would have been nice to see him have the benefit of only having to learn one position.

Not making the team was true freshman linebacker, Ejuan / Juan Price. Price started kind of hot, then faded a bit in the middle, before finishing well. He had four sacks on the season and the five-star recruit should be a player to watch for over the next few years.

Here's the link to Adelson's full Big East freshman team.