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Everything NFL draft fans need to know about San Diego State edge defender Cameron Thomas
A relentless pass rusher with a knack for getting to the quarterback, San Diego State’s Cameron Thomas hopes to make the same kind of impact at the next level as he enters the 2022 NFL draft.
Here is everything you need to know about this two-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year:
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with San Diego State offensive line prospect Keith Ismael
The saying goes that football games are won and lost in the trenches.
While the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers tend to get a lot of the headlines on offense, it’s the offensive linemen who hold the operation together. Without talented offensive linemen, the running backs have no holes to hit. The quarterbacks have no time to get the ball off, which prevents the wide receivers from making any plays.
It is critical that teams add good offensive linemen to their rosters, and San Diego State center Keith Ismael is looking to be one of those building blocks up front for an NFL team.
Draft Wire recently spoke exclusively with Ismael about his collegiate career, his family’s lineage in football, how he has been preparing for the 2020 NFL draft, and much more.
KI: My favorite memory: 2017, my redshirt freshman year, my first year starting. We hosted, I think they were 19th or 18th ranked Stanford, at the time. My uncle is actually the offensive coordinator at Stanford right now, Tavita Pritchard, so that was a little rivalry within my family. We beat them, we ended up upsetting them, the lights went out in the fourth quarter on our winning drive and delayed the game. I remember the fans, they started chanting ‘we believe’. They put all of their phone lights up, and it created this great environment. The lights [ended up] coming back on, and we went down the rest of the field and won the game.
So that was probably my favorite moment, beating Stanford my redshirt freshman year, 2017, we [faced them] at home, all the fans rushed the field. It was a surreal moment. My dad, he rushed onto the field, I found him through all the commotion, all the ruckus, and we just gave each other a big hug. It was a really big [accomplishment], kind of started by everything that we worked for, getting to that level of play. It was my first year starting, so I had a couple games under my belt, but that game was huge, playing Stanford, growing up 30, 40 minutes away from that school, looking into the program, watching them when I was younger. Being able to play them and beat them was a huge accomplishment, one of my favorite moments of college.
KI: He’s not the only one [with football experience]; he played for Stanford, he played quarterback. He ended up beating USC, I think it was in ’07, when they were ranked number-one in the country. My dad played college football at Florida A&M, my uncle, he played defensive line at Oregon, and another one of my uncles was drafted in the first round by the Falcons back in the ’70s. Football’s in my blood; all my family, all my cousins, all my uncles, they’ve all played the game. It was kind of like, I don’t want to call it destiny, but the cards were definitely there and the path was set for me to play.
I have the genetics, I had people around me that played a lot of ball. My dad’s friends, some of them have played in the league, so having that background – that family background – my passion and my love for the sport, watching it with my dad when I was younger and seeing his passion, I definitely grew a love for the game that carried me to this point right now…I talk to [my uncle], when I was younger at the time when he was playing quarterback at Stanford, and of course my dad’s playing days and my uncles. They’ve been talking to me, they’re more about just trying to get a feel for my passion, trying to make sure that I was ready to commit completely to the game, whether I made it to the pros or even the college level.
Starting in high school, I wasn’t thinking about playing college ball. It was a dream…I didn’t get very good at the game until maybe my sophomore year of high school, when I started to kind of grow and develop. Using them as tools, just trying to gain good principles and good values, a good work ethic, through them and knowing what I need on every level I end up going to, I use them more for that instead of Xs and Os type stuff…it’s a little bit more advanced at the college level. I started to unlock my game and my skills.
KI: It was huge, I mean, it was my first year [in the starting lineup]. I was the second guard in the two-deep depth chart my freshman year, so I travelled all year, and I was able to be behind four seniors that ended up winning the [conference] championship that year; they were back-to-back Mountain West champions. I learned so much from those guys. They took me under their wing when I was a little freshman, and I’d try to work week in and week out with them, trying to learn the ins and outs of how to be successful, how to win a championship, and it was just important for me to carry on that tradition once they left.
That following year, even though we feel short, we won 10 games, and Rashaad broke [Donnell Pumphrey’s San Diego State] single-season record [that he broke] the year before, the year that he broke the NCAA rushing record [for the 2016 season], and [Penny] ended up beating that, being the first school in NCAA history to have two back-to-back 2,000-yard rushers. It was a proud moment, finishing off that season with those guys – it was a great senior class – I just wanted, my whole time there, to carry on that tradition and those values that the seniors left for me when I was a freshman, that Coach [Rocky] Long tried to instill in his time at San Diego State, his message carried on consistently in all my four years, and I just try to live up to that expectation and be an Aztec warrior as much as I could. That was one of my proudest moments, that season, especially playing with the player that Rashaad was, and playing with all of those seniors who are now successful in the league. It was an honor to play next to them, to practice with them and to go through that process with them.
KI: It was great. Jim Nagy and the staff down in Mobile, they do an amazing job, year in and year out. I had a blast up there and made a lot of good friends, some of them that I now call my brothers. I had an amazing time going out there and competing. Like I said, Jim Nagy and the staff, they set up a good week full of events, and we were able to get in with the community, we had a parade. It just gave us an unbelievable opportunity to showcase our talents on the field.
Going into the Combine, I rode that momentum of those good days at practice in Mobile and rode that into Indianapolis. That was a dream come true, watching that every year since I was a kid, and then finally getting there and soaking up the lights. I remember walking onto the field for the first day getting to an X-ray and I was just like, ‘wow. It’s really here’. I was reading the signs and looking up at the lights and the field, it kind of felt surreal, and it really was a dream come true. It was a long week, but it was a fun week. I learned a lot, I got to showcase my talents on the field and also work with teams [to] pick my brain and see what kind of person they get off the field, the type of leader, the type of player that they’re getting for the organization.
Each opportunity was extremely important, especially now, with all of this virus stuff, all the Pro Days that were canceled. A lot of my teammates here at San Diego State and [players] across the country, they were on the short end of the stick unfortunately, and they weren’t able to do that. I’m blessed that I was able to get those opportunities and get my evaluation locked in by these teams before [the virus outbreak]. It was great. It was a dream come true.
KI: For sure. I think it definitely gives me an advantage, that they’ve been able to get their hands on me in-person at least a couple times, which is huge. You can only get so much over the phone, but you really get to interact with people in-person: you get a feel of who they are. That’s basically what these teams want to see. They’ve seen the tape, and they’ve talked to the people at the universities. They can see some parts of it, but you try to get the whole package, especially where they’re investing so much money into us.
Getting to meet them in person and showing everything that I have to offer is definitely huge, and it gives me advantage over, like I said, guys who weren’t able to go to an all-star game or go to the Combine and then didn’t get to do a Pro Day, it’s definitely tougher for them. It’s all over the phone, and everybody’s just trying to get used to it – nobody’s used to it – so it’s definitely hard. There are a lot of people close to me that are in that position, and they’re doing the best they can to keep their heads up and stay positive. All of this stuff has definitely hurt guys.
KI: I’m just doing my part, trying to social distance as much as possible, but I definitely have been able to stay in shape. I have a trainer in a private gym that I have available here, just trying to make our ways, follow the rules as best as possible, but I’m blessed to be in San Diego and to be able to have a place where I’m still able to get elite-level training, work out every single day. I just end up going home [afterwards] and stay to myself and try to keep my distance, wear the mask and follow the rules. But it’s definitely different. I’ve had a lot of phone calls every day these last few weeks. It’s definitely different because at this time, I’d be traveling somewhere around the country for a team visit – I had a couple set up before the virus cancelled them – so it’s taken a little bit of the stress out of it, or this month of the process, at least. It’s made it a little bit easier for guys in my position. It’s interesting – like I said, it’s all new; nobody’s prepared for this – so we’re all just figuring it out.
KI: I love to cook. I like watching movies, I like to sleep a lot, too [laughs], recover my body. I like to be social as well, whenever I can. I love hanging out with my friends. I love listening to music and just connecting with people. Growing up in California, especially here in San Diego, I think going to the beach and going out there, watch the sunsets, it’s just next level, and the water out here is great. I love being outdoors and just relaxing, kicking my feet up.
KI: Anything and everything. I watch all the cooking shows on Youtube, on TV, I always have since I was a kid. I don’t really like to say I have one specific thing I like to cook all the time. I really like to get different influences from different dishes or recipes and kind of make them my own or try something new. I have a very diverse palate; growing up, I ate a lot of things, so I’m not scared of trying new things, and I’m not scared of trying new things in the kitchen, either. I like to experiment and try and get crazy with ingredients or techniques or whatever it is. It’s fun; cooking can be very peaceful.
KI: You’d be getting an unbelievable leader, the hardest worker out there, a real great player: someone that is tough that can persevere through any adversity. You’re getting a fast, consistent and technical player. I like to play the game fast, I think that my technique sets me apart from anybody else in the country, and you can check the tape: I’ve been very consistent over the last three years of playing at the collegiate level, and I hope to carry that along with my football intelligence and my brain to the next level. I think I have a high football IQ and I get the game. It plays out very easily for me. I think that’s definitely what’s helped me here in college, and I think that’s going to take me to the next level playing-wise in the NFL.
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Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with San Diego State cornerback prospect Luq Barcoo
The 2020 NFL Draft is loaded with big-name prospects from powerhouse programs, but teams are always looking for those under-the-radar players in the later rounds who can still make a big impact in the pros.
One such player in this year’s cornerback class? San Diego State’s Luq Barcoo, who recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about making the transition from JUCO, the adversity he’s had to overcome throughout his life, and why an NFL team should take a chance on him in this year’s draft.
LB: That first year was definitely a bit of a transition year for me. I had to adapt and get used to the system. We didn’t have much of a system at Grossmont, to be honest with you. I definitely went through a bit of a learning phase. I had to get comfortable with the system. I definitely played a lot of football throughout my first year at San Diego State though. I wasn’t a starter at cornerback that first year, but they definitely subbed me into the game quite a bit. I got a lot of playing time. That’s what got me comfortable with the defense. I needed the live reps. My coaches understood that.
LB: I would say that it was the structure. We didn’t have as much structure at Grossmont. I had to make the transition to a very structured environment. The coaching staff held you accountable for everything that you did and I appreciated that. It’s just different than JUCO. Sometimes you have to be the bigger person in certain situations. Even if you weren’t the one who initiated something, take responsibility for something that you did. Having that sort of structure was definitely the biggest change for me.
LB: I feel like my mentality is just different. I’m always itching to make a big play. I’m always looking to make an impact on the field. To make the highlights, you have to be around the ball. The game revolves around the ball. Wherever the ball is, I’m gonna do my best to be around it and make a play on it.
I feel like the best part of my game is my ability to create turnovers. Nine interceptions was a great result for me in 2019. Being around the ball and making plays on it is definitely the focal point of my game.
LB: I come from a tough background. I overcame a lot of obstacles and faced a lot of adversity throughout my childhood. I just like the edginess that comes with playing cornerback. Not everybody can play cornerback. I love that job. I love playing with a chip on my shoulder. It’s a tough job and I welcome the challenge. I love the competition aspect of it.
I’m confident in my ability to compete at a very high level. There’s a certain edge you have to have to play cornerback. It just brings that competitiveness out of me. It’s a hard position to play. It takes a special type of person to play the cornerback position. I love to compete against a wide receiver. You have to step up to the plate and welcome the challenge.
LB: Life was rough growing up. I definitely overcame a lot and faced some adversity as a child. My relationship with my mother, my spiritualism, and my faith in God is what got me through a lot of things that I was exposed to early on in life. I grew up in a single-parent household. My mother had six children, including me. Life was tough. I was exposed to a lot of things that the average kid isn’t exposed to. I had to grow up fast. I matured faster than most kids.
Every obstacle I faced helped me develop quicker. It allowed my mentality to grow. I had to establish myself as a young adult. I had to mature. I don’t look at the things I’ve gone through as a crutch for me to lean on. I was always very optimistic. It wasn’t going to be my downfall. I can look back and smile. It’s the reason I am who I am today. I look forward to what the future holds. I’m ready to work hard.
LB: I didn’t get to make any of them, unfortunately. I had a few of them scheduled. They all got canceled. They were supposed to happen right when the virus really started to take off. I’ve definitely had a lot of conference calls and FaceTime sessions since then. I’ve been receiving a lot of interest.
LB: I’ve spoken with a ton of teams. I’ve virtually met with at least 20 teams. As for which teams I feel like are really showing a lot of interest, teams that I’ve had a ton of calls with, I’d mention the 49ers, Ravens, Eagles, Chiefs and Colts. I’ve met with so many teams. I’m so excited for the future.
LB: I believe that mentality comes first and foremost. You have to have a short-term memory in order to play this position at a high level. You’re gonna get beat sometimes. It’s a passing league nowadays. Offenses are designed to look for the big play. When you get beat on a play, you have to have the mental capacity to come back on the next rep and compete once again. Once that play is over, you have to let it go. Playing cornerback puts a lot of mental stress on you. It’s a big part of the game and you have to be able to handle that.
Secondly, it takes a certain skill-set to play this position. Your body has to be able to move a certain way. You have to have good play speed, your change of direction needs to be effortless and so on. You have to break a certain way at the top of the route. Your body has to be able to handle all of that.
Lastly, you have to be a competitor. Playing cornerback comes with a lot of competitiveness and drive. It’s a tough position. You could be having an excellent game and then with the game on the line, maybe they’re targeting you in the end zone. You could have played well the entire game and still cost your team the game on the last play. You have to be locked in for all 60 minutes. It takes a high focus level to compete at this position.
LB: I believe I have what it takes to become a successful cornerback in the NFL. I feel like I check off every box. My mentality and focus can’t be topped, and my ball production and ability to create turnovers makes me a unique play-maker. The skill-set and production are there. I have the physical ability as well. I have the mental capability to sustain myself at the next level.
I’m ready for the adversity, I’m ready for the challenge. I don’t think many people have been through what I’ve been through. My ability to overcome adversity will get me through anything. Once I get on a team, I’ll have the mental capability to handle any and every challenge that comes my way. My experience has proven that. I’m mentally and physically ready to showcase what I have to offer.
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