- Slug: Sports-Cree Thomas Notre Dame, 900 words.
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By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News
PHOENIX — When searching for information about Cree Thomas, you’ll find highlights, four stars next to his name, All-State honors and a commitment to Notre Dame. But to Thomas and those around him at Brophy College Preparatory, he’s so much more than what his football profile shows.
“Faith and family,” Thomas, a highly coveted senior cornerback, said when he was asked what is most important to him in life, also mentioning his role in the Black Student Union at Brophy.
“He’s a leader,” said Brophy defensive coordinator Kevin Scott. “And that to me is one of the most important things about him. At the end of the day, people want to follow someone like Cree.”
Brophy coach Jason Jewell echoed that sentiment.
“Cree is a very high-character kid, and that doesn’t surprise anyone that has met him,” Jewell said.
On the field, Thomas’ leadership is apparent. He racked up 43 tackles, five interceptions, and more than 500 return yards as Brophy’s No. 1 cornerback in 2023. Those numbers, along with his 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame and length, were big factors in his commitment to Notre Dame for 2025. Coupled with the ever-important academics in South Bend, it made the choice pretty easy for Thomas.
“At the end of the day, I’m a student first,” Thomas said. “My parents instilled that in me from a young age. I knew as soon as I got that offer, I wanted to go on a visit, and it was something I wanted to experience.”
It certainly didn’t hurt that Brophy College Prep, a Valley institution in Central Phoenix, holds similar academic and religious values.
“Everyone I talked to described Notre Dame as a big Brophy, which made it way more comfortable,” Thomas said. “It’s pretty awesome going to a school where I can still practice my faith. That was something I couldn’t pass up.”
Exuding a quiet confidence when he steps in the room, it’s clear how important his faith is to him.
“I put God first in everything,” Thomas said. “I’m still learning more about my faith, but the more I do, the more I realize God is my ‘Why?’”
Even before his biggest games, faith comes first for Thomas.
“I have a notebook that before every game I write out a prayer,” he said. “Maybe it’s something I feel, or something from scripture.”
Once he’s on the field, though, there’s an intensity, and a love of competition. One of Thomas’ favorite things is to compete, whether on the field or in the classroom. With that may come something unexpected, however: nerves.
“I do get nervous. I get nervous before every game,” Thomas said, and then he laughed. “Some people find that weird, but I think it’s good. It shows how much I care. Sometimes I’ll even ask my teammates, like are you nervous? And if they say yeah, I say good.”
It’s not something you hear very often from high-level athletes, but for Thomas, it’s just part of his game. He’s a funny, high-character, smart teenager who just happens to be an outstanding football player.
Waiting for him at Notre Dame is a legacy who currently wears the No. 20 jersey. Ben Morrison, a junior cornerback for the Fighting Irish, began his journey at Brophy Prep as well.
Morrison, a senior when Thomas was just a freshman, still took him under his wing.
“Even though he was older than me, he was always so cool to me,” Thomas recalled. “I’d ask him random questions about his recruitment, and he’d always answer. He would watch my film and send me good plays, and that felt good.”
Morrison, currently projected to be a first-round pick, is expected to leave Notre Dame for the 2025 NFL Draft before Thomas arrives on campus. With that, it also potentially frees up the availability of the No. 20 jersey in blue and gold.
“I want to (wear No. 20) but I’ll only be a freshman, so we’ll see,” Thomas said.
The number began as just a funny story, but it grew into something much more as the years went on.
“It was kind of random. When I was younger, picking my number, they always asked if it was because of Barry Sanders, and I was like, “Who?’” Thomas said of the legendary Hall of Fame running back for the Detroit Lions.
Thomas again stopped to flash a smile and laugh. “But as I’ve grown up, the number has meant way more to me,” he said. “My grandpa actually passed away on the 20th. I feel a connection to the number.”
The legacy that Thomas follows is more than just Morrison’s, though, as both his father and stepfather were Division 1 college athletes. They were both influential in getting Thomas into football, along with track as well, where Thomas competed in a number of events at Brophy, including the decathlon. Their impact went beyond athletics, too.
“Without them guiding me, I don’t know where I’d be,” Thomas said. “Not just in sports, but everything in my life.”
Faith, family and football. Thomas’ commitment to all three have helped him become a high-level player, student and person.
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