Louisville adds JuCo QB Thomas to 2014 class

Since signing day of 2014, the Louisville Cardinals have added four signees to the class. The latest prospect to ink with the Cardinals is Georgia Military College quarterback Pat Thomas.

There was late drama in that former Louisville head coach Charlie Strong started to recruit Thomas to be a Longhorn a few days ago, but the 6-foot-4, 195-pound signal caller became the 24th signee for the Cardinals 2014 class.

"I just felt like it was right with Louisville," Thomas told CardinalSports.com after he signed. "I think it was bad timing with Texas. I think that having a quarterback coach in coach McGee that played quarterback and coach Petrino's system - those two guys can get me where I need to be. That's was the main reason for me to make my decision."

Thomas officially visited Louisville on April 16th. He enjoyed the visit, but having one-on-one time with head coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee sold Thomas on what the Cardinal have to offer.

"It wasn't too much about the visit; it was more about the X's and O's of things as far as meeting the coaches and getting on the board to see how their system fits me. That was the main thing - the system Bobby Petrino has and just the ability coach McGee will have to train me and sharpen up my tools to be able to succeed in this system. The track record of Petrino really got me."

Thomas was originally a December graduate for the 2014 class and was set to enroll at UAB. He was going to play under McGee at UAB, but when he left for Louisville, Thomas was released from UAB. It all worked out in the end as Thomas will now be reunited with McGee.

"He was going to be my head coach at UAB and when he decided to leave, I was still committed to the program. I stayed committed to UAB and they brought in new coaches and I was eventually released. I still kept that relationship with coach McGee as far as him telling me how to handle daily things. With me and him keeping the relationship, they saw where they needed a spot filled going through spring ball and it just so happened that I was there."

With the process now over, Thomas says that a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

"I've been on a roller coaster ride ever since I signed in December (to UAB) and now I can just finally say Louisville is my home. I'm proud and thankful."

Thomas will play quarterback at Louisville and says the Cardinals coaching staff is not looking at him at any other positions. He will enroll on May 16th.