Legends Of The Fall: Lamar Thomas

As part of our on-going series of articles and interviews with University of Miami football players, we sat down with former Hurricane wide receiver Lamar Thomas (LT).  The interview was held on Wednesday, June 11 at The Titanic Brewery near the UM Campus where we had a chance to have dinner a Hurricane Legend. 

Lamar (who could often be found at UM baseball games this year) was fired up and forthcoming in his responses to questions posed by Canespace blogger Cat5 (seen here at The Ti with OcalaCane), myself (86Cane) and many other fans here at Canespace who submitted questions prior to the interview. 

LT was also very generous with his time as he spent almost three hours with us at The Ti sharing stories about old school Canes.  We laughed a lot, learned what it takes to be successful at The U and also a little about what made those late 80's early 90's Hurricane teams so dominant. 

LT, who wore #36, played for the Canes from 1989 to 1992 and was part of infamous "Ruthless Posse".  He not only helped UM QB Gino Torretta win a Heisman Trophy but left UM as the Canes leading all-time receiver, passing another UM legend and recent NFL Hall Of Fame inductee Michael Irvin (The Playmaker) in the process.  LT was later passed in the UM record books by Canes WR Reggie Wayne, who now catches passes on Sundays from Peyton Manning. 

Here is our interview with Hurricane Legend of the Fall, Lamar Thomas:

Canespace (86): Tell us about your HS playing days (in Gainesville)?

Lamar Thomas (36): I wanted to be a Quarterback. I could have been a good QB.  They had me playing at Cornerback in my first year and I scored like nine Touchdowns, as a DB! That year late in the season I went up against Ronald Lewis (who later played at FSU) who was senior and he scored like three TDs in the game against me and we lost 21-20.  I was only a freshman.  The coaches asked me if I would play WR, and I said hell no, I don't want to get hit, I want to hit people! Well they moved me over anyway and the rest is history.

86: Who recruited you to Miami?

36: Don Soldinger recruited me to The U.  He was a no nonsense guy and he didn't mess around.  He came up to Gainesville and he looked me in the eye and said:  "Look don't waste my time.  Do we have a chance with you or not?" I remember he came to my HS and I saw that "U" on his shirt and I was all excited.  I wanted to play at Miami.  I know this sounds stupid now but I remember asking him, "Do you know Michael Irvin?"  I was a huge fan of "The Playmaker".  I wanted to be the next Michael Irvin.

86: What was it like when you arrived on campus?

36: I remember I was in the weight room when I first met "Ax" (then UM WR/TE coach Hubbard Alexander now the Head Coach at Melrose HS in Memphis, TN a UM pipeline).  Now here I was, this tall skinny kid struggling under the weights and he had never met me.  He asked someone "Who's this skinny kid" and I told him Coach, I'm Lamar Thomas and I'm going to be the next great reciever at Miami.  He just looked at me funny and said "You better stay in here 24/7 then!"  I told him coach I may never be good in here (the weight room) but I will catch the ball, I promise you that!

86: Tell us about practice at Greentree Field. 

36: It was coach (Art) Kehoe that really challenged me every day in practice. He'd say things like, "Ryan McNeil (the Canes starting CB) is gonna eat your lunch today" or "You'll never get off the line against Kenny Berry".  I went up against McNeil, Berry and Roland Smith in practice every day.  Bubba McDowel played safety.  They were all good, but Ryan (McNeil) was the best.  Practices were like game day. I knew whoever I was going to go up against in the game was going to be EASY. The guys I faced in practice were way better than they were.

86: When we interviewed Rohan Marley he told us that the Canes defense felt like "Lions on the Serengeti" out there (on Greentree).  How did the Canes offense feel?

36: Rohan said that?  Well, we were like...(LT thinks for a minute then says), we felt like B-52 bombers out there. We were always ready to go deep and drop some bombs on their heads.  Let the "lions" deal with that!

86: What games stand out for you during your UM Career?

36: It was the game against BYU and Ty Detmer that out me on the map.  I think I had like 9 catches in that game.  I was playing as a freshman between two seniors, Wesley Carroll and Randal Hill.  I was just glad to be on the field and here I was catching passes! 

Another game I remember well is scoring the game winning TD and beating FSU my senior year in "Wide Right II".  I remember FSU scored first and I kept telling the guys on the sideline not to get down.  I told them the score was 7-7.  We always felt that we had a 7 point advantage at home.  Here is something that a lot of people don' know.  I would listen to the "Warchant" song all day long before the FSU game.  When they started playing it in the stadium I would tell T-Buck (FSU DB Terrell Buckley) or Corey Sawyer (FSU DB) "Hey, they are playing my song".  They would look at me like I was crazy or something.  Mickey Andrews (FSU Defensive Coordinator) put Buckley on me every third down play because he knew I was Gino's go to guy. I wound up beat T-Buck for the game winning TD.  When I did that I knew I belonged. 

86: Tell us more about preparing for the big games?

36: I couldn't sleep.  I'd be so amped up I'd be up until like four in the morning.  I wouldn't put on deodorant or brush my teeth.  This was war!

86: Why couldn't you sleep?

36: Anticipation of the kill. The game against Houston and David Klingler is a good example.  They were all hyped up (by the media), but we knew we would destroy them.  Their DBs took a picture of a skeleton wearing a #36 jersey the week of the game.  That was their first mistake.  Now I was always hyped up for games, but that game?  I was crazy!  We beat them like 40 to 9, it wasn't even close.

Join us for Part II of the Lamar Thomas interview on Sunday at 8PM.  Lamar talks about the NFL draft, his time in the NFL, his teammates at the Bucs and Dolphins, the current Hurricane players that could be special and much more!   

Comments

[SuperCooper]

Holton has supposedly qualified with a 2.6 GPA.

[Cavaleer]

Super.....WHEEEEEW! lol

Two more to go right? B. Jones and B. Wash

[Cavaleer]

DJ, I'd say LT, Copeland and Williams WERE on the Wayne, Moss, Johnson level because they were all there at the same time. I'd say that '91 team had the best group of WRs we've had for one year. They were literally B-52 bombers.

In two years we'll be at least that good, AT LEAST.

LT, "Just get us to the stadium and we'll take care of the rest."

That is so True U baby, True U. Music to my ears. lol

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Chris Campbell (RIP) was the third LB in '01.

Isn't Kenny Boynton a big recruit that Haith has landed recently?

[CoCane]

OGV,

Nope. Da "U" ain't even make Boynton's final 5 list of schools. I think it's Texas, Memphis, Florida, Duke & UConn. That's the player I'm disappointed about. I had a feelin' Haith would land him. It's not over until he signs with someone else but most likely it won't be da "U".

I do believe if Haith & them live up to the preseason hype & at least make it to the sweet 16. The exposure will help Haith land a top 10 class in 2010. Can anyone say BRANDON KNIGHT. He's actually better than Boynton. Some think he'll be better than Derrick Rose. He's strait out da 954. LAUDERDALE!!!

[AvaCane96]

isn't Boynton a Duke/Miami battle?

[Soldo]

Hey cocane lay off those Newports bro, them things will tear your lungs up. But seriously i'm glad your ok now. You gotta be around and healthy to take care of your little one.

Damn I can't wait until August when practice starts.

[Loco]

"I don't really know what to say," North Carolina coach Mike Fox said. "I know Chad Flack is the clutchest player I'll ever be fortunate enough to coach. He's proven it time and time again."

Is cluchest even a word? I don't think so.... But UNC is one win away from making the finals against UGA. If it comes to that, I would rather UNC win to show ACC's dominance over SEC...

[SuperCooper]

Super.....WHEEEEEW! lol

Two more to go right? B. Jones and B. Wash

Posted by: Cavaleer | June 21, 2008 at 10:14 PM

Hardin, Smith, and another. Forgetting who, too early in the morning. lol

[Loco]

Hardin, Smith, and another. Forgetting who, too early in the morning. lol

Posted by: SuperCooper | June 22, 2008 at 10:27 AM

Smith said he qualified

[CoCane]

AC96,

Neither scout, rivals or espn has Boynton even considering da "U". I hope they're hating & wrong because of it. Only time will tell. I live in Broward & none of my homies in Pompano are saying shyt 'bout Boynton & da "U" in the same sentence. There's usually at least a rumor & I ain't heard shyt...

[SOUP]

I would rather UNC win to show ACC's dominance over SEC...

Posted by: Loco | June 22, 2008 at 10:26 AM

I agree. Go ACC!

[CoCane]

Bad news on the football recruiting tip. Everybody I know who knows Brandon McGee out of Plantation says he's a BIG semiho fan... DAM!

It was the same thing with Major Wright. He had always been a big Gayturd fan... FUKK!

[SOUP]

COKE...did you read all the basketball stuff I posted above?

Are you going on the Canespace charter flight to St. Thomas for the Paradise Jam?

http://www.paradisejam.com/pages/men.htm

[CoCane]

Yeah. I peeped it. My crystal ball ain't workin' right now.

Stay tuned...

[CoCane]

Is the hoops team complete 08-09 schedule out yet???

[CoCane]

Soldo,

How do you know if I smoke death sticks?

[4-Real]

Brandon Mcgee is a Fsu & Deon Sanders fan but says that won't be a factor in his decision. He wants to go where he can get immediate playing time, which is why he is high on the Canes. Our db depth chart should work in our favor with several big-time db's.

[SuperCooper]

Charlie Jones has left Miami for Memphis.

[Calvin]

I've been wondering what happened to harland gunn, maybe he'll be a late bloomer on the line or something, if nothing else, i like the fact that he seems to be working hard and just trying to get bet better and push whoever is in front of him out the way, depth chart wise and defenders. Something i've noticed, if you want 40 times that seem a lil more acccurate, seems like scout.com is a lil more realistic. Can someone post the george mira interview from scout.

By the way, quiet as kept, reggie youngblood seems to have benefitted a whole lot having jeff stoutland on board. Although he has never been dominant, if he cuts down on being dominated, he'll be a real steady o-lineman and might just mess around and end up being a decent draft pick(2nd or 3rd round).

The one thing i do like is the stoutland/nix combination, reason being is, nix basically is a run the ball down your throat type oc, and stoutland focusing in on being a dominant o-line from an aggressive perspective and not from a finesse standpoint with the chp blocks, he teaches o-lineman how to attack, that's how his o-line dominated us at syracuse that year when they hung 61 on us, most of us were trying to figure out what the hell happened, the answer is clear now, stoutland happened.

Found this looking for something else, from the 14 to 20 second mark, for some reason that shat he said was funny as hell, but it just goes to show you how far off the mentality we have and the mentalities alot of other people have are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5s1Fvong-s

[SOUP]

COKE...negative, the 2007-2008 season results are still up at the UM web site:

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/mifl-m-baskbl-sched.html

[SuperCooper]

Gunn was only a freshman last year, he has plenty of time.

[Calvin]

Did gunn redshirt already?

[reggaebob]

not only was gunn a freshman, but orlando franklin was good enough to ensure just enough depth at the 0-line, so the coaches didnt find it necessary to have harland play right away. The coaches do think hes something special though, hurtt said once before that his guys hate going up against him. He has a good o-line build and has the smarts to be a special player in the future (he is in engineering, after all)

[4-Real]

It's funny how these coaches are always bragging about how guys like Gunn, D. Berry, Richard Gordon and Ojomo are tearing it up in practice but they have yet to see the field. Can someone please xplain?

[solarcane]

reggaebob, Loco,

Here is a sneak peek at the "Gator Hater" and "Not Today, Tebow" stickers.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj201/solarcane/tebowhater.jpg

peace

[Loco]

Gunn was only a freshman last year, he has plenty of time.

Posted by: SuperCooper | June 22, 2008 at 12:14 PM

Did gunn redshirt already?

Posted by: Calvin | June 22, 2008 at 12:29 PM

It's funny how these coaches are always bragging about how guys like Gunn, D. Berry, Richard Gordon and Ojomo are tearing it up in practice but they have yet to see the field. Can someone please xplain?

Posted by: 4-Real | June 22, 2008 at 12:59 PM

Here are your explanations... Harland Gunn was rexshirted last year as a freshman, so Super is right, and Calvin there's your answer. This means he has 4 more years to play. I believe he is second on the depth chart behind Figs (who supposedly tore it up during the spring), which means he will get PT, like Orlando Franklin did last year.

Ojomo was also a redshirt freshman last year, so while he and Gunn both tore it up in practice, neither got to see the field because they weren't allowed to. Ojomo will get PT this year, for no other reason than he HAS to, with Harris out and Bailey hurt. Also, Shannon and Young both know that its best to keep a d-line rotation to keep your players fresh, so he will be rotating in behind Bailey after he comes back

Gordon DID get PT last year, and he got a lot during the spring as well. Thing is, Nix isn't know for using his TE's a whole lot... Though he may more next year, we'll see

D. Berry got PT on special teams, and tore it up there. He was at a log-jammed position at safety last year (and was a freshman), and also had to practice at corner. Now he's at RB where there appears to be a log-jam.. But Shannon promised Damien PT if he moved to RB, and Shannon has done nothing to prove he isn't a man of his word. Also, Berry is now the biggest back in the backfield, so think goal-line situations and such

[Loco]

reggaebob, Loco,

Here is a sneak peek at the "Gator Hater" and "Not Today, Tebow" stickers.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj201/solarcane/tebowhater.jpg

peace

Posted by: solarcane | June 22, 2008 at 01:06 PM

HAHAHA Solar, I love 'em. Got lots of picture ideas and people to take them with. Any special requests?

[Loco]

soup, you've got mail

[solarcane]

loco just enjoy 'em!
I'll send down a couple other things as the game looms closer.
peace

[SOUP]

Solar...that's some funny KaKa!

Loco..great post above.

Working on LT Part II for tonight at 8PM.

Working on new banner with countdown feature provided by ALF.

See demo at:

http://www.canespace.com/

[CoCane]

You shouldn't play a frosh unless they're hands down better than the vets. If they're talented but not dominating the vets, groom'em. By the time they step on the field they'll tear shyt up immediately. I think Gunn, Ojomo, Berry & Bailey fit that mold. They'll kill shyt when it's thier turn...

[CoCane]

Is Kylan Robinson still a LB or have they moved him to his best position at FB.

[reggaebob]

solar i LOVE the stickers! that is phenomenal work, cant wait to post them up!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Dequan Jones is a big time Haith recruit then, not Boyton. (Though keeping him in the area would be one of those watershed recruiting battle victories that you can point to)

[SOUP]

From www.hurricanesports.com:

Men's Basketball to Face Ohio State in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

April 15, 2008

CORAL GABLES, FLA. - The University of Miami men's basketball team will play host to Ohio State in the 2008 ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Tues., Dec. 2, at the BankUnited Center. Time and ESPN network coverage is to be determined.

It marks the third time that Miami will be participating in the Challenge, after appearances in 2005 and 2006, while it will be the seventh-straight appearance by Ohio State. The Hurricanes lead the all-time series versus the Buckeyes, 2-1, and have won two straight - including a 75-62 victory in the second round of the 2000 NCAA Tournament.

"It's exciting to be a part of this event," said Miami head coach Frank Haith, who just wrapped up his winningest season at the helm. "The teams in these two conferences play at such a high level, which makes for fun - yet intense - match ups. We look forward to the challenge and will work to represent both the University of Miami and the Atlantic Coast Conference well."

The Hurricanes come off one of the most successful seasons in program history, finishing 23-11 and among the top-five in the ACC. They will return four starters and their top-five scorers from their 2007-08 squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, including First Team All-ACC selection Jack McClinton, who averaged a team-high 17.7 points per game, while converting an ACC-best (third in the NCAA) 91.9 percent from the line and 42.7 percent from long range.

[SOUP]

Is Kylan Robinson still a LB or have they moved him to his best position at FB.

Posted by: CoCane | June 22, 2008 at 01:55 PM

Latest I heard was he moved back to FB/RB.

[dj moonbat@gmail.com]

Cav sez: "DJ, I'd say LT, Copeland and Williams WERE on the Wayne, Moss, Johnson level because they were all there at the same time."

Huh? Andre Johnson WAS there at the same time as Wayne and Moss. Since they didn't run 3-wide sets as often as in '91, he wasn't featured, but he was there.

In 2000, the OC had this "dilemma": Do I sit Shockey, Davenport, or Andre Johnson for a given play?

[Loco]

Is Kylan Robinson still a LB or have they moved him to his best position at FB.

Posted by: CoCane | June 22, 2008 at 01:55 PM

Latest I heard was he moved back to FB/RB.

Posted by: SOUP | June 22, 2008 at 02:48 PM

I heard that rumor too, but haven't seen or heard anything official about that

[solarcane]

reggaebob,
Glad you like them, they are going out Monday should be down there in a few days.

coCane,
glad things are better for you bro.

soup, thanks, I gotta couple grins from some
"dawg" fans when they saw the not today sign
peace

[SOUP]

I think it was ITU that posted Kylan was moved back to RB/FB.

[alf]

soup. I enlarged the banner. Still got a fix it up a bit. Check it out

Everyone check out the new banner on the home page of canespace.com

[SOUP]

He is now listed as a RB on the official UM web site:

36 Robinson, Kylan Running Back 6-1/232 SO Anchorage, Alaska/Tampa Chamberlain

[SOUP]

alf....nice! Well U all wanted a countdown, U got your stinking countdown!

Now one for the blog too...

[CanezNC]

Rivals Pre-Season has Canes at #41 http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=819000 (ND is at #40, BC is #44, UNC at #47). Canes finished #70 in Rivals at end of season...

[CanezNC]

Make that #64 as Canes final season postion on Rivals...for what it's worth (not much)

[solarcane]

Dang we were preseason 37 last year.
then we go 5-7. 41st is actually pretty generous in those terms.
peace

[solarcane]

The only thing that will gain any respect is the win column.

New recruits, new stadium, new coaches, mean nothing without visible immediate progress.

just win baby

peace

[SOUP]

Solar...U got that right!

All the experts say the Canes are going 9-3 in 2008, do U agree? LOL

[solarcane]

8-4 soup
and that ain't bad at all
peace