Talking patience
- Updated: June 12, 2024
Former Ohatchee standout Thomas, other former area high school standouts look to share insights at 256 Elite Camp.
By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today
Domonique Thomas recently learned that patience can be a virtue in the transfer portal, and he’ll soon have the chance to share that and other insights from his college travels to local high school and youth players.
The former Ohatchee High running back, now gearing up to play for Ole Miss, will team up with former Anniston High receiver/defensive back Antonio Kite (Auburn), former Ohatchee teammate Eli Ennis (Nicholls State), former Jacksonville running back Ron Wiggins (Jacksonville State), former Oxford offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner for the 256 Elite Camp.
The camp is June 22 at Ohatchee High School, where Thomas ran his way to becoming the 2019 Class 1A-3A All-Calhoun County player of the year.
Youth grades (K-7) go 10 a.m.-noon. High school players (8-12) go 6-8 p.m,
Thomas said he’s reaching out to donors in hopes of providing a scholarship to the high school camp MVP and gear for the youth MVP.
“I’ve been wanting to do it since I’ve been in college,” he said. “I planned to do it last year, but it got canceled because of the weather, and it was the only day I was available to do it.
“This year, I was thinking and reached out to Antonio Kite and Bradyn Joiner. Ron helped me a session before, so I thought I’d reach out to those guys and get them involved and allow the kids from their communities to come, as well.”
The camp will also feature instruction from former Wellborn/Anniston standout Marquise Elston (Jacksonville State) and Sheldon Abbott.
Thomas has quite a story to tell, starting his college career at Union College before walking on then earning a scholarship at Clemson.
He appeared in 12 games and rushed for 116 yards in 2023 then entered the portal, looking for a chance to contribute more.
He got an offer from Georgia State within 30 minutes of entering the portal and transferred there.
“I didn’t know how much time I had to make a decision,” he said. “After getting to Georgia State, I felt like I rushed my decision, because other schools started reaching out.
“I thought I only had a week to make a decision.”
Coaching changes at Georgia State allowed Thomas to re-enter the portal and keep his eligibility for the 2024 season. He talked to 19 schools the first day, and Ole Miss called two weeks later.
With three seasons of eligibility remaining, Thomas narrowed his choices to Colorado or Ole Miss, partly to work with running backs coach Kevin Smith.
“I was just looking for an place where there was an opportunity to compete to be the guy and overall develop as an athlete,” he said. “I wanted to be developed as a running back, and Coach Smith at Ole Miss is one of the best running backs coaches in the nation.
“I’ve learned so much in this short amount of time.”
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