Dynamite Dozen: Americus-Sumter’s Trevian Thomas benefits from intense preparation

AMERICUS — There’s a history to wearing the No. 1 on teams coached by Larry Harold.

It was the number worn by future Georgia star Roquan Smith at Macon County. Sharrod Frazier, who wore the number at Brunswick during Harold’s time there, signed with Marshall.

Now, another player who is on the recruiting radar is wearing No. 1 at Americus-Sumter.

Trevian Thomas, a junior safety, wore No. 15 last year. But after coming off a sophomore season in which he shared the team lead for total tackles, Harold, who joined the Americus-Sumter program in the spring, assigned Thomas the No. 1 jersey previously worn by wide receiver Braelin Williams, a 2018 graduate.

“He’s got No. 1, and anybody knows that the person wearing No. 1 in our program is pretty special on defense,” Harold said. He’s a prototypical safety: Long, rangy, and he makes some spectacular plays in practice. I can’t wait to see what he does in games. He’s smart, intelligent in the classroom.”

Thomas, who had 40 solo and 53 total tackles to go along with two interceptions last year, is ranked 52nd among all Georgia juniors by 247sports. He helped lead the Panthers to the GHSA Region 1-4A title and a second-round playoff appearance.

With Harold running the program, there has been some new things for Thomas to pick up. But he has help.

Raasaan Haralson, who spent two seasons as Texas A&M’s defensive quality control coach under former head coach Kevin Sumlin, joined Harold’s staff as the defensive backs coach.

“We’re starting a new defense,” Thomas said. “We’ve worked a lot running zones, reading the offense, knowing everything that’s going on.”

One thing Thomas has going for him: Work ethic.

Teammates and coaches alike praise Thomas for the amount of time he puts in on the practice field and in the weight room. They are hoping the example he sets rubs off on Thomas’ teammates.

“The thing I like about Tre, he works hard every single play,” quarterback Kierston Harvey said. “He doesn’t give up plays. After practice, he’ll put in extra work on the field. I like seeing that.”

Said Harold, “He’s the first one here and the last one to leave. He’s always doing stuff extra. You can catch him up here on Saturdays or Sundays, running hills or doing extra stuff. That’s what separates the good players from the great players.”

The extra effort is something Thomas takes to heart.

“I want to be as great as I can be,” Thomas said. “Knowing that I have the opportunity to make it (to the next level) and do great things, be a leader, make my family proud and make the community proud and stand up for Americus, that’s my motivation.”