NSCD's Thomas picks Butler

It's not very often that a winless high school football team manages to produce a Division I player.

And it's even more rare when that player comes from tiny North Shore Country Day.

But David Thomas' special talents on the gridiron have earned him a spot in the Butler University program next fall.

Thomas, a safety-running back, recently chose Butler over schools like Wittenberg, Kenyon, and Colgate according to North Shore head coach Jim Deuble.

He'll be the first player to compete at a Division I school since Deuble joined the Raider staff 19 years ago -- and maybe the first in school history.

"He scored all of our points this year (nine touchdowns), and I know he'll play wherever they ask him to, because that's the way it was for us," Deuble said. "I know he'll work hard and I hope it's a good fit for him. I know he fell in love with the campus when he visited there."

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Thomas is a Chicago resident who has been clocked in the 4.6-4.7 range in the 40-yard dash.

He led North Shore in rushing (102 attempts for 555 yards and four touchdowns) and receiving (45 catches for 609 yards, 5 TDs) and also started at strong safety for the Raiders.

On defense, he recovered one fumble and ranked fourth on the team in total tackles with 33 solos and 18 assists.