Division 2 State Champion Jordan Thomas, who is a junior at Greenville High School, informed Michigan Grappler over the phone that he has given a verbal commitment to the University of Michigan and coach Joe McFarland to be a Wolverine in two years when his prep career comes to an end.
Jordan Thomas (Photo/MichiganGrappler.com)Thomas, who just completed the first week of his junior school year, becomes the second top junior from around the country to give a very, very early commitment this fall as fellow Michigander Freddie Rodriguez committed to Michigan State last week. With two years of high school wrestling still to go, Thomas and Rodriguez have already made up their minds to stay in state.
"I had the chance to go to campus for a football game and I loved the atmosphere, the students, and the staff," said Thomas. "I knew right away that this is the perfect fit and there was an offer I couldn't refuse to a place I have always loved so I didn't feel a need to wait."
Thomas, who won the Division 2 state title at 160 pounds last year and was runner-up his freshman year at 145 pounds, has been one of the top grapplers in the country for his age group since coming up on the youth scene. The summer prior to his freshman season he officially stepped into the national spotlight with an impressive Disney Duals performance that included wins over then senior-to-be returning state champ Garrett Rozeboom of Mason, MI as well as a huge win over nationally proven David Habat of Ohio. He then followed up his Disney coming out party with a third-place finish at the Cadet Nationals in freestyle in Fargo and he has not slowed down since. He is currently ranked nationally in virtually every poll. He 's rated by InterMat as the No. 17 pound-for pound junior in the country.
"I think wrestling is a thinking sport and even though I 'm not the strongest, quickest, or most explosive wrestler, I am smart and I study the sport and I out-work my opponents," said Thomas.
"I think the biggest thing that has helped me get to this point has been wrestling at Massa's in St. Johns and I have also been exposed to some really good workout partners and
training at Michigan Xtreme. From now until college I am going to continue training in the room the way I have been I want to
increase my focus on weight lifting and improving my strength so I am ready for bigger, stronger guys in college."
Thomas will join a Michigan program who has a strong tradition of success in the middle to upper weights, including NCAA Champ Steve Luke (174) as well as NCAA finalists Ryan Churella (165) and Eric Tannenbaum (165), who all came through the Wolverine program in the past few years. Michigan had a un-Wolverine like year last year, finishing 10th in the Big Ten. However, Thomas believes that they will be right back on top of the Big Ten and competing for an NCAA title very soon.
"They (Michigan) were really young last year and I think they will be back on top this year with just about everyone coming back and with Kellen Russell back in the lineup," said Thomas. "I think the overall direction of the program is great with some talented younger guys who I am already close with like Dan Yates and Cam Jackson. I think we are going to have a great team I think the new facility will help bring more good recruits so we can keep building."
Thomas is the No. 3-ranked pound-for-pound wrestler in Michigan's powerhouse junior class. The Class of 2012 coming out of Michigan may end up being the best group that the Great Lakes State has every produced and in many other years a guy like Thomas could very well be a consensus No. 1. With Thomas (No. 3) and Rodriguez (No. 1) already committed, the question now is how many of the other nationally-proven juniors in Michigan or around the country are going to be making up their minds in the near future?
"I want to see other top Michigan guys stay in Michigan because it is awesome for our state and I would love to have the opportunity to get the other top guys on my team in college so we can train and compete together and make Michigan proud," said Thomas.
As is usually the case with a talented and accomplished high school wrestler, Thomas had many people to thank for helping him along the way, but he singled out three families who have been significant in his development.
"I definitely to than three very influential families in my life: First of all my family for all the support over the years and secondly the Massa and Bennett families for helping me so much throughout my career."
InterMat was granted permission to republish this article from MichiganGrappler.com.
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