Ryon and Dylon Thomas made quite a name for themselves as a dynamic brother duo that helped lead Old Rochester to some incredible things on the football field.
Last year, the two of them began their college careers at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Nichols respectively while also majoring in Sports Management. That’s not the impressive part, the impressive part is what they decided to do with their time once they got back home.
Any college kid could choose to spend their time off chilling with friends, but both of them have been giving their time to QB Velocity, owned by Coach Pina Sr. and his son Coach Pina Jr., trying to help shape the next generation of young football players here in New England.
“They have given us the opportunity to coach with them at their summer clinics,” Ryon recently explained. “We’re looking forward to coaching kids who were once in our shoes and are looking to improve at the sport they love.”
“As my brother and I were growing up, we faced both positive and negative experiences with coaches and we know the importance of giving a child a positive experience,” said Dylon.
Ryon was the only Massachusetts player on his team during his freshman year, which gave him an entirely new appreciation for being able to represent the area.
“Being the only football player from Massachusetts on the roster at FDU made me come into camp ready to prove myself, especially because most of my teammates had played one another or know of each other in high school,” he said. “Since playing ball out of state, I’ve noticed that there is this perception of New England football that MA doesn’t produce elite athletes, and that there isn’t any competition at the high school level. Coach Murphy (who recruited me), decided to take a chance, and offer me. Ever since I committed, I haven’t looked back, and there is no better feeling than representing your area.”
“I think the biggest misconception about football at the high school and college level is that in high school, there are a few standouts on your team, but at the college level, it’s every player and if you don’t have the mindset that you are capable of competing against multiple players at your position, then you won’t make it,” added Dylon. “You have to be all in on everything the coaches ask you to do. Practice, learning the playbook, lift, and obviously on game day you have to be 100 percent ready to compete if and when you get that call. So, if you are fortunate enough to be recruited to play just know that you have an opportunity just like the guy next to you, you just have to give it everything you got.”
Despite being in two completely different states, the Thomas brothers relied on each other heavily during their freshman year training camp sessions, comparing experiences and holding each other accountable. Maybe it’s why they’ve seamlessly transitioned into their coaching roles.
“We talked a lot during camp, because that is where you truly find out if you love the game,” said Ryon. “In season, we were busy with school and football, but would talk about upcoming games, practices, and show each other film.”
The former ORR tandem is now split up and making a name for themselves at the NCAA level, but as leaders tend to do, they’re more than happy to continue helping out at QB Velocity so that the next generation of talent has the knowledge and confidence to go out and show what New England football is all about.