By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

dlolley@observer-reporter.com

Like most kids in Western Pennsylvania, Washington's Travis Thomas grew up a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But his allegiances changed dramatically Sunday night.

Thomas, a former Washington High School and University of Notre Dame standout, was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Cleveland Browns in the hours following the NFL draft and will join the team later this week for his first practices.

"They called me after they picked in the fifth round and said that they probably weren't going to draft a running back," said Thomas, a 6-0, 216-pound running back.

"They had me listed as their top priority running back. They wished me luck in the rest of the draft and told me that if I didn't get picked, they'd like me to come to Cleveland."

So even though New England and Baltimore also inquired, the 24-year-old Thomas decided the Browns offered him the best chance to earn a spot in the NFL.

Thomas is the second former Washington High School standout to sign with an NFL team as an undrafted rookie in the past two years.

In 2007, former Prexies offensive lineman Dan Mozes, an All-American center at West Virginia University, signed with the Minnesota Vikings at the conclusion of the draft. Mozes suffered a knee injury in training camp and was placed on injured reserve, but is working out with the team now.

Thomas and Mozes were key players on Washington's 2001 PIAA Class AA championship team as two-way starters.

Thomas, who went to Notre Dame as a running back, continued to play on both sides of the ball for the Fighting Irish, starting at linebacker in 2006 while continuing to get carries as a tailback. He switched back to tailback in 2007 and finished his career with the Fighting Irish with 409 yards rushing and 12 career touchdowns.

He also saw plenty of action on special teams, where he was a team captain in each of the past two seasons.

And it is on special teams where Thomas hopes to make an immediate impact with the Browns.

"No matter where I went, I knew special teams was going to be a priority," said Thomas, the son of Cynthia Thomas and grandson of John and Betty Thomas.

"I think the versatility I have is a plus. I think it helped a lot."

Not that Thomas doesn't wonder what would have happened had he been given an opportunity to settle in at just one position.

"It could have hurt me because I wasn't able to focus on one position and pile up a lot of stats," said Thomas, who has his degree from Notre Dame in Managing and Consulting. "But I learned a lot playing defense as well that made me a better running back. I learned how to read defenses before the snap."

The juggling of positions never made Thomas doubt his ability. In fact, he's been thinking for years that he might get a shot to play in the NFL, ever since a game against USC in which he very nearly helped the Fighting Irish to an upset over the Trojans.

"I had a good game against USC," said Thomas, who had 18 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown in that 34-31 loss Oct. 15, 2006.

"I figured if I could do well against them - and they had seven or eight guys on that defense that were going to play in the NFL - then I could play in the NFL."

And now Cleveland is giving him that shot.

"It's going to be a real adrenaline rush," Thomas said of stepping onto the practice field on Friday at the Browns' training facility in Berea, Ohio.

"I can't wait."

Odds and end zones

The Steelers signed 12 rookie free agents Monday, including defensive linemen Martavius Prince of Southern Mississippi and Jordan Reffett of Washington. Also signed were linebackers Patrick Bailey of Duke and Donovan Woods of Oklahoma State, wide receivers Dorian Bryant of Purdue and Micah Rucker of Southern Illinois, center Doug Legursky of Marshall, cornerbacks Roy Lewis of Washington and Travis Williams of East Carolina, quarterback Mike Potts of William and Mary, tight end Dezmond Sherrod of Mississippi State, and kicker Julian Rauch of Appalachian State.

Home