2021 National Scouting Combine Featured Athlete Andre Thomas-Cobb, WR from Coffeyville

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Andre Thomas-Cobb Jr. | Coffeyville Community College | WR 

Twitter: @Acobb_1 | Instagram: @Dr3stacks


Q: Tell us about your college (or pro) career and what the recruiting/scouting process was like. Why did you choose WKU/CCC/NAU ?

A: I chose these schools because I felt the most at home on these visits. Coach Helton at the time really made my mother feel safe sending her oldest son across the country. Any questions my mother or I had he had an answer for and if he didn’t he would look into it and get us the correct information. He felt more like a father figure rather than a Coach but he was still coach! Once I learned that I missed the clearinghouse I was sent back to the drawing boards. Got on Twitter and started reaching out to coaches. When I say that I mean complete coaching staff from the HC down to the Recruiting Coordinator everyone got my film. I’ll send it until they either said they weren’t interested or until they reported me on Twitter and I got the “you can’t message this person any more message” once I maxed out my messages for said Coach I’d move to the next one in line. The coaching staff at every school I showed interest has at least 100 messages of my film on Twitter as well as in emails. I took my recruiting seriously. I knew that if I wanted to go to college that I had to create that way. Luckily it paid off. Coach Flo for wind of my film out in Coffeyville Kansas and was blown away. Had his WR Coach hit me and we hit it off from there. Once I made it to Coffey I still battled life as a young parent as I couldn’t take my daughter with me. They made sure that I was taken care of so that I could rocked for my child at home. One of the only freshmen with a child at home. Everyone knew about my daughter Aaliyah and everyone knew I was doing it for her! Everything I’ve done has always been for her. If I could go back in time I would’ve taken high school more seriously because just like that I was going through the motions thinking I’m on top, got it all figured out and boom now I’m the only kid in school with a baby. Her mom was older than me. I didn’t have a choice but to make the most of the opportunity! My scouting process was crazy once I made it to The Ville. Coaches coming from all over to see me. Everybody is asking “Dang Mega what did you do” I’d politely pull out my phone go to my Twitter and ask them “what school is your dream school” then id say this is how I created my separation. Go into Twitter messages scrolls and scrolls and scrolls finds dream school open messages 20+ times I’ve sent one coach to my film. Think it’s a fake click another name there’s my link to my film over and over and over and over again. I knew that if I wanted to go to the next level I had to do what nobody else was doing. It got to the point where I would tell my teammates to add me on Twitter, go through my followers and follow every single coach that I was. Then once that was done send out your film back to back to back until they either respond with a scholarship, a visit to you or you to them or you got blocked. You have to separate. Same thing with emails you know how easy it is to lose a single email? Try missing something someone has emailed to you 20-30-40-50times in a day within a few hours within the week. I had to make sure they saw what I was sending. I had to make sure that I made a difference. Pulled NAU over in the Big Sky conference and was ready to tear it up! They didn’t accept my math class so that threw a wrench in the works. Now I’m scrambling trying to get everything together so I can accept my scholly and make a grand appearance. Once that fell through I ended up at emporia state with a QB that couldn’t throw further than 30 yards. I thought to myself if I want the best I have to go to the best and from that day forward I started training to test in front of NFL scouts and agents so I could get my shot at one of the best quarterbacks. My motto is simply throw it to the touchdown. I’ll meet it there! That’s just the short run down of the process from them up until now. My process was hectic but I never lost sight of the goal. No matter what. I knew what I wanted to do and knew what I needed to do in order to achieve it. So I did just that and chased my dreams! Moral of the story you are in full control of your destiny if you want it go get it. Why reach for the Sky when there’s footprints on the moon!

 

Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

A: My biggest accomplishment so far is having 1 of my collegiate TouchDowns on Netflix! Last Chance U SZ 2 Ep 6 S Show “Coffeyville just **** scored” love it! Thanks coach Brown!

RIP Coach Flo #R.U.B!!

 

Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from the coaching staff while playing at Coffeyville Comm College?

A:  I learned that no matter how good you are there are a million and three other “WRs” out there competing to take your spot currently. Either win the day or lose your spot. Although that’s not how it was said it was a mindset. If I don’t come out and compete each and everyday constantly getting better then there is someone out there potentially putting in work surpassing me on the field as a WR. Your spot is earned every day on the field and off the field! I’m my only competitor. Do everything full speed. Run routes full speed and attack the football. Coach Flo(RIP) and Coach Rolls brought a true receiver out of me. From opening my hands to their full potential to tracking drills for over the shoulder catch to looking to ball into the tuck to secure the catch and pass. Keep your feet when catching over the shoulder. Be as flexible as possible so that I can contour my body to make those crazy over the shoulder catches in stride. The list goes on and on but they knew my over the shoulder catch was important to me so we perfected the craft and grew as a player overall. Attack the ball running through people’s pancakes up and down the sideline. They gave me the okay to pancake the DBs into the stands. Always play through the whistle not to the whistle! The play isn’t over until the whistle blows nobody is safe. Keep your head on a swivel and as a WR make the block but NEVERRRRR get rolled up in the box with all the cows. Get in the box, get out of the box! There should never be a moment where you are walking on the field rather it’s game time or at practice. Practice how you play. Play how you practice. Put in the work you will reap the rewards. Always come ready to compete. Win the snap. Win the throw, win the route, finish with a clean catch. Big eyes, big hands. You want feathers not bricks. Soft hands. Silent catches, no hot potato catches and finish through the line!

 

Q: How was your career impacted due to the 2020 pandemic and what have you learned from the adversity?

A: I’ve learned that at any given moment the game can be taken away from you. No matter how good or bad you are. Covid showed me that if I don’t get out and get it nobody will go do it for me. No matter what comes your way you have something to prove. Even when there is nothing to do there is something to do. Perfect your craft. Always invest in yourself and strive for what you want. Not everyone is promised tomorrow so do what you need to do today no matter how hard it is. Make the choice then take action. You want something, go get it. I wanted an invitation to a combine and busted my ass to get just that. So my message to everyone out there high school JuCo every Division1/2/3 ball never lose sight of your dreams if you want it go get it. Anybody that gets in the way can either join the moment or be made an example by the movement. Chase your dreams and never let anybody turn off your light. You’ve come this far, why stop now! Strive for greatness no matter the adversity at hand. You either want it or you don’t. There is no inbetween. You are either ALL IN or ALL OUT. NEVER SETTLE FOR DEAD MANS LAND. Go after it!

 

Q: What was your major and what are your plans if football doesn’t work out?

A: I majored in Psychology minored in business. If football doesn’t work out. I started 3 businesses in college a mobile device repair company, a pop up restaurant, I also pushed my knowledge of working on cars. Currently I’m a market manager. I’m 1 promotion away from being promoted out and opening my own office most likely down in south Florida. Once promoted out I’ll be signing my first ATT contract. Should be an exciting year. I was taught young to always have something to fall forward on after you play your last snap of football. I’ve spent majority of my collegiate years investing in my small businesses getting everything in order so I can launch them on a larger scale once I play my last snap. But it started years ago. If I were to wait until football was over I’d be behind the ball so I keep everything flowing in tandem with football currently so that I’m better prepared whenever that day comes.

 

Q: What would your current/past teammates say about you and your qualities?

A: My current and Past teammates will all tell you when it’s time to make a big time block to flip the field run behind me. Follow the sticks on my back. When you see me pancake that last defender you haul ass to that touchdown I’ll meet you there. I’m no selfish player. If I have to block I’ll block if I have to catch I will make that catch. If I have to play ST then I’ll play special teams. Football is a game of unity. If we can’t all sacrifice that pride and play for the man next to you then we as a team won’t be successful. At the end of the day everybody on the team should be willing to do whatever it takes to secure that win. Rather we are winning the snap firing off the ball winning the throw and catch or winning the run game. No matter what we battle together as a whole. I can’t blow the top off the secondary if my back can’t plow a hole through the front line. We work together forever and always! I just need a QB!

 

Q: What has been one of the most memorable plays of your career at any level?

A:  One of my most memorable plays at Coffeyville was against one of the higher ranked schools in the conference. DB playing 4 yards off in what we called Dead Mans Land on my island. Before Carson snaps the ball he audibles my 4 yard out route to a blow the top off Fade. You can see him make the call on film. He snaps the ball I fire off full speed with a clean release before you know it I blow past the DB bringing my hands and feet got him off balance I’m gone. I’m striving down field my boy Carson steps into the blow. He’s literally drilled in the mouth with a helmet. Threw the ball off faith that his receiver is the better man. Now the balls in the air I know my QB my Team My head Coach is depending on me to make this game changing catch. The ball soars higher and higher and higher further and further down the field ball is adjusted by the wind so I had to adjust my route slightly and bend out to meet the ball for a million dollar over the shoulder catch. Feels like the ball is in the air forever. I can feel the DB trying to get back in phase so I contour my body running full speed and secure the catch. Now it’s a foot race to the touchdown. Do you think I was going to lose it? I don’t think so let’s ride! I’ve never seen Coach Flo as shocked and excited before in my life. Nobody could understand how I could run so fast and contour my body all in full stride to make that catch then top it off with a magnificent run after catch to break a sideline push for the touchdown.

 

Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how do you manage it?

A: My biggest test of adversity was becoming a father at a young age. My daughter was born at the beginning of my junior year in high school. I’m the only person at my high school with a child that young. I remember people would make fun of me because of it but what’s there to make fun of. I laid down and created this beautiful little person. Why should I be ashamed of that. Long story short I embraced it with open arms. Hell on wheels to say the least. I had no choice but to grow up fast. Playing high school ball picking up a job to support her needs and wants all in high school. Not like I could return my babygirl. I had to do what I had to do. In order to create this wonderful lifestyle we cherish now. Senior year not only was I fully loaded with my academics and my athletics but also fatherhood. It was difficult. I had to dig deep and figure out what it takes early. I worked my jobs, I went to practice, did my homework and took care of my child. Not only was it the right thing to do it was the only thing I needed to do. I had someone depending on me so every sprint, every lift, every test, every snap EVERYDAY I had to give it my all to create a way not to wait for it. I respectfully earned my scholarships. I didn’t make the clearing house but I didn’t let that stop me from doing what I was set out to do. Not pay for college and continue to play my sport at a higher level. In order to do that I had to be different. I had to separate myself from my peers. That meant no parties no clubs no hanging out late night on the weekends. My childhood was very different from my peers. I’m thankful for it. Because it made me who I am today. After senior year I went. JuCo missed the clearinghouse so I set out to get the job done another way. I competed with men from all across the country day in and day out. Not only did I compete I had a child at home to feed. I was in school playing sports and had to figure out a way to send money home on a consistent basis. So I launched my first business. MegaFiX, my mobile device repair company. In doing so I was able to not only send money home on a regular basis but I was also bringing in more money than all my teachers and coaches. Not to brag. But I sat in my dorm and thought long and hard. We’re in the middle of nowhere. How am I supposed to make enough money to support me and send home to my young child. I thought to myself everyone has a cell phone but there’s nowhere in town to get it repaired if it breaks. Which allowed me to charge whatever price that came to mind usually around $100-125 per phone repair no matter the phone. Parts were cheap enough so I was able to make more than enough profit to send home to my daughter,  reinvest into my business, save for future investments, and pay the bills. The closest repair shop was in Tulsa Okl. About an hour or maybe an hour and a half drive away. So now your face to face with 2 options pay MegaFiX to do the repair or drive 2 hours out the way to pay $150+ for the repair plus the money you spend on gas to get there and back and at least 6 hours of your day. 2 hours there 2 hours back 2 hours for the repair. Want to know the kicker? I’ve never worked on a phone before this day but there’s a first time for everything. Through trial and error I was able to memorize just about everything needed to complete all of these different repairs along with the help of YouTube. Long story short I won’t let anything stand in the way of me providing for my daughter. I’ve battled child support and had my scholarships pulled before losing custody of my daughter in and out of family court all while chasing this dream to play in the NFL at the highest level. You have a choice: you can either hit the wall full speed and come to a dead stop or you can hit the wall full speed and bring the wall with you to your destination. The choice is yours. I chose to carry that wall with me through my finish line and some. I’m here now and I plan to make the most of it. There isn’t anything that can stop me. I’ve got my baby girl depending on me. I manage by being the best Young Father possible. 110% at all times no matter what!

 

Q: If you could compare yourself to a pro athlete, who would that be and why?

A:  So in college it used to be Julio Jones the man is the all around receiver he checks all the boxes. But now that Metcalf had made his appearance I’d say I can compare myself to him. His famous pick 6 run down I’ve had a few of those in college that’s beside the point. There’s no one legit “BIG” in the NFL as far as receivers. I’m not fond of his blocking but his presence on the field can be felt. I feel the same way my presence can be felt not just from my silly socks but from me beating the dog crap out of each defensive back you may choose to cover me. Football is constant competition if you aren’t competing then what’s the point of playing the game.

 

Q: What is your biggest strength that you bring to a professional team and why should pro scouts consider you?

A:  My biggest strength that I’ll bring to any professional team is the ability to open up the run game with big time blocks. I’m no selfish receiver nor am I a pretty boy. I like to get my hands dirty. Me vs your best corner or linebacker. Head up. I will WIN. PC’s then TD’s. Pancakes and Touchdowns. Can’t do one without the other. They go hand and hand. Just like the run game and the pass game. I have to be able to help out my RB during the run game. That’s what we are here for rather it be a decoy route that turns into a major downfield block for a touchdown or me pancaking the DB getting up and legally knocking the horse crap out of someone wearing the opposite color. It’s US vs them. Pick your poison wisely. I can’t eat in the passing game if my backfield isn’t eating. We help them, they help us. Nothing more nothing less. My over the shoulder catch both right and left side. A lot of receivers shy away from this million dollar catch. Being able to high point the football is fun and all but a clean release at the snap of the ball eyes head shoulders knees and toes. You must be able to sell the ocean water! Then stacking the DB then the change of speed once the ball is in the air creating separation for the uncontested over the shoulder catch and we are off to the races! Everyone cannot make this catch. I spend every day rather it’s an hour or 5 minutes a day perfecting this catch because even the professionals struggle to make the catch. I want to be different from them all. In order to do so I make clean game changing blocks and I make the important catches as well as the non important catches. As a receiver every ball in your general is deemed yours. There is no 50-50 ball with me because my QB is counting 100% on me to catch the ball not the defender.

 

Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back” or ”pay it forward” in your community?

 

A: Currently I haven’t been giving back to the community but I’ve got a plan to give back to the community once I come into contact with the right people. Sometimes it’s not what you know but who you know. I’m open to all investors. I really want to build a training facility for the upcoming youth in my hometown Fort Myers, Fl. Reason being it’ll give them somewhere to go other than the “streets”. A positive outsource for the at risk youth. Something other than Guns drugs and violence. Not only will we train athletically but strategically as well. I want to teach them about the importance of credit, going to college and having an Easter egg stashed away in a savings account for a rainy day. Teach them early about the clearinghouse, something I didn’t learn about until my senior season. Just life in general, all the things that our elders wanted to teach us but in a more concentrated environment. I’ve got a daughter growing up in this world. Someday she may be training at that same facility learning the ins and outs of life. It’s deeper than just a sport because sports don’t last forever. But that college degree will last longer than the game itself.

 

 

Q: How are you preparing for the 2021 National Scouting Combine and what are your goals?

 

A: In all honesty it was a bit difficult preparing for the combine. I don’t have the contacts or the allies to pick up the phone to set up my combine training. I never did. JuCo I went through so many coaches the same as QBs. So being able to adapt to my situational surroundings is a trait I was able to carry with me as I passed my JuCo days. I don’t hang around a lot of people and a lot of people from My city didn’t make it very far as far as sports. We’ve got a handful of vets and current NFL stars. But it’s not like I’m training with them getting that knowledge. Gaining that slight edge. I’m self represented. Always have been. No agent. No coaching staff, no trainers. It’s just me! I put in more than enough over the years leading up to this point. That doesn’t mean I’m not nervous. Just continuing to put my best foot forward and striving to be the best. I work behind closed doors without anyone watching or coaching. I know what I’m capable of and I plan to continue striving for greatness. I’m doing something right or else I wouldn’t have been invited and accepted into this combine. Everything happens for a reason. I’m here because of my previous actions leading up to this point. All I need to do is just move one team enough to pull the trigger to get my foot in the door. My goal is plain and simple. Show Up and Show Out! It’s me vs me. I am my only competitor! I put in the work and won’t stop.

 

 

Q: What would be your ultimate achievement?

A:  My ultimate achievement would be getting the opportunity to break all of Jerry Rice’s records. Do I know them by heart? No I don’t but he was one of the best receivers to play for San Fran in my opinion. So my goal is to go out to San Fran to compete for the starting spot and break all the records. Doesn’t even have to be San Fran it can be any professional team. I’m coming to compete nothing less!

 

Q: What do you enjoy doing when not playing football?

A: When I’m not playing football I’m spending time with my daughter. If not playing football or spending time with my daughter I’m investing in my crafted elevating my businesses. Finding more ways to generate more clientele and revenue. Pushing my leaks into streams and my streams into rivers and eventually lakes then oceans. Constant growth. I have to invest in them non-stop. I’m the heart of each one of them and if I fall off, guess what so does my business. I proud myself on creating those impactful relationships with my clients because word of mouth is the most effective form of advertisement. If I look out for them they are more blind to tell their friends and families to choose my businesses over the big box stores. Separation is elevation. My small business allows me to be more personal with my customers and really take the time to listen and give them the best product to fit their needs.

 

Q: If you could make a positive impact on all of society what would it be and why?

 

A:  If I had the opportunity to make an impact on all of society it would be to teach your children young about everything in adult life. So that they are better prepared growing into the world. Everyone speaks about world change and it starts with the youth. If you raise a child in negativity you think that Echols will go out into the world and be a positive influence? No. Stop feeding this negativity into their innocent minds. Teach them about credit history and how to maintain it how long it takes for things to come off of it. I would preach to society to get off the couch and get active. Take the kids for a bike ride around the neighborhood or down to the bank and show them how to fill out a deposit form or instead of random pointless YouTube videos let them watch something fun but productive like learning how to multiply with candy or something of that nature all while stimulating their interests. It will take a while but slowly we will see that change that everyone’s been crying out for. It all starts with the youth. They are the up and coming United States of America. With that being said they should be the number 1 priority no matter what!

 

Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

A:  The most influential person that was in my life was my grandma Dorothy Sweet. Reason being no matter what was going on she would always make sure I was good. Rather it was on the field in the classroom at home anywhere and everywhere. That lady there I talked to more than anyone on earth and if she was still here with us it would still be the same thing. She would’ve probably been here with me. I know that she is in heaven looking down on me with a big smile on her face. I will continue to make her proud. Even though she isn’t here with me physically I know she is with me spiritually.  My Uncle Skate was also an important roll model in my life. I have other uncles but me and his relationship was unmatched. Part of the reason it was hard for me me to pull myself back together in time for NAU was because I lost him so close to everything. It’s just crazy because we literally talked on the phone no more than 24-48 hours before I got the news I lost my Uncle. We joked about him moving to Arizona with me. I still carry the hurt of losing these 2 in my heart and often battle my emotions because of it. I know for a fact my uncle would’ve been ready to jump on a plane to come out here with me. He was the life of the party, the glue to the fam. He was everything and some. A true hustler. Nobody could out hustle him, he just wouldn’t have it. I miss them so much and will continue pushing forward in their names! RIP DOROTHY RIP SKATE

 

Q: What is something unique about you that people would find interesting?

A:  My thought process. I’m very quiet in person but my mind goes a million miles per minute. I’m thinking of all types of possibilities and outcomes for numerous reasons big and small. The millions are in my mind already the fun part is pulling it from my mind and creating it in real life.

 

Q: What is your dream job?

A:  My dream job would have to be a Psychiatrist. I love working in the medical field I used to work as an N-EMT. Working hands on with people up close and personal is so fun. Not everybody gets to work on the front lines of the medical field. We didn’t get any calls like someone getting their arm blown off but we still got some fun stuff. Riding around in the bus with our patients and just talking with them listening to everything going on. Just being that stranger that they can vent to tell all their problems. I really want to build my own old folks home. But my dream job is definitely Psychiatry. I just want to help people who fight mental battles within themselves. I want what’s best for people even when they don’t want it for themselves. I’ll always be that person you can pick up the phone and call.

2024 National Scouting Combine

February 18-22 held at Grand Park Events Center in Westifled, IN. Accepting draft eligible nominations now!
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