Brentwood grad Ian Thomas lands in linebacker spot at John Carroll

Ian Thomas is a well-rounded athlete — a three-sport standout at Brentwood competing in football, basketball and track and field.

But football is his favorite sport, and his best.

As a result, he is continuing his football career at the next level at John Carroll.

“Ultimately, what led to my decision to go to JCU was it was just the best fit for me,” Thomas said. “They are always competing for a conference and national championship, and you can get a great education while doing it.

“Football, definitely, has always been my favorite sport. I love it. It’s the best team sport in the world, and I’ve learned so many lessons from the game that I will carry with me throughout my life.”

John Carroll is located in University Heights, a suburb 10 miles east of downtown Cleveland, and is a member of the NCAA Division III Ohio Athletic Conference.

“It’s a great school,” said Kevin Kissel, Brentwood’s veteran football coach. “And they have a really good football program. I think it’s a good fit for Ian. He’s very deserving.”

Because of the covid-19 pandemic, the Ohio Athletic Conference opted to move its football season to the spring.

John Carroll will kick off its season March 12 at home against Baldwin-Wallace.

The Blue Streaks, coached by Rick Finotti, were 8-1 in conference play, 9-1 overall, in 2019, and will take a seven-game winning streak into the 20-21 season.

John Carroll’s abbreviated spring conference schedule consists of Baldwin-Wallace, Mount Union (away), Marietta and Muskingum (away). The OAC playoff is slated for April 16.

Although the Blue Streaks’ roster is filled predominately by players from Ohio, there are many former WPIAL players on the current squad, including South Hills products Thomas, junior DB Nick Urbanowicz from Thomas Jefferson, senior OL Dom Folino and junior DL Jack Burton from Upper St. Clair, and sophomore DB Michael Palmer from Mt. Lebanon.

Thomas was a three-year letterman in football and track and field at Brentwood. He also earned two varsity letters in basketball.

Thomas was a two-year captain in football and track, an all-conference selection for football, a state qualifier in track and an honor roll student.

“Ian’s best days are ahead of him, once they decide what position he’s going to play,” Kissel said. “I don’t know exactly what position he is going to play. He can play inside or outside. I know one thing. Whatever position he plays, he will work at it.”

“He’s a big kid, and I think he will be getting bigger. He’s a good athlete and a very hard worker. He’s always been a hard worker.”

Thomas said the plan is for him to start out at linebacker at John Carroll, with the possibility of moving to defensive end later in his career. (“If I gain some weight like they want me to,” he said.)

Thomas is majoring in sports management. After playing for the Blue Streaks for four years, he hopes to serve as a graduate assistant in pursuit of fulfilling his dream of landing a fulltime coaching career.

Thomas said his greatest football memory at Brentwood was the 2019 season, especially advancing to the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals.

Surprisingly, he’s a big fan of Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady, who played collegiately at Michigan.

“I’ve always been a big fan of Tom Brady because of his work ethic, drive to win and competitiveness,” Thomas said.

All traits the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Thomas has exhibited regularly.