Finally a senior, Thorpe is very experienced and well coached. If you play the receiver position for Bobby Bowden you definitely know how to run an effective pass pattern. His 19.5 average per reception was tops in the ACC in 2003 and he was named 1st team All-ACC. Entering 2003 he had returned 37 career kickoffs for 783 yards and a 21.2 yards per return average to rank as the Seminoles’ career leader in that category. He had three catches for 88 yards in two career bowl games (Gator in 2001 and Sugar in 2002). The more I see this guy the more I like him because he has got one thing that can’t be taught, speed. He is just so fluid and quick in and out of his cuts and he plays the ball nicely in the air. He was named the ACC Outdoor Track Performer of the Year in 2003. He led Florida State to two outdoor (2002 and 2003) and one indoor (2003) ACC Track and Field championship and garnered two ACC Outdoor Track & Field individual championships winning the 100m and 200m dash in 2003. He was FSU’s leading receiver in 2003 catching 51 passes for 994 yards, a 90.4 yards per game average and a 19.5 yards per catch average. He also took it to the house 11 times. An unfortunate leg injury late in the NC State game kept Thorpe from jumping to the NFL last year. Thorpe is probably the most polished receiver in this draft and the safest pick. He doesn’t have elite size but he is tough and won’t shy away from contact, he adjusts for under thrown balls nicely. The bad news is he is coming off of a leg fracture and might miss some playing time early this year. The good news is, Thorpe blazed to an electronically-timed 4.30 this spring so he looks like he healed nicely. He really had a down year this year (2004)and I don't know why, he just didn't produce, part of the problem is at QB with the demise of Chris Rix but regardless, Thorpe's stock has taken a nose dive. Thorpe has very thin legs and I question if he will be able to take the day to day pounding in the NFL, but so does Colt's receiver Marvin Harrison and that is exactly who Thorpe reminds me of.
2008 Draft Review
