During the Warren Academy Showcase all eyes were on 4-star (HV Rating: 93.5) tight end Thomas Fidone. As one of the top uncommitted prospects in the country, everyone was eager to see him in person. It didn’t take long to see why he holds more than 30 scholarship offers from all over the country.
Had a pretty smooth one-handed sideline catch off a double move at one point today.
4-star TE Thomas Fidone was as advertised as a pass-catcher. Really impressed by his physicality in-person. Top guy on the #Huskers board for a reason. pic.twitter.com/cCDzwTY7B2
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) July 25, 2020
As an established national recruit, Fidone didn’t have to come out and compete at the event. He came out because he loves competition. He measured in at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds and ran a 4.63 laser-timed 40-yard dash.
“There’s no replacement for competition,” Fidone said. “It’s kind of what my coach has always said and it’s in me now. Wherever there is competition and wherever there’s a place I can get some work in, that’s where I’m going to be. So, I just wanted to come out and grind it out with some of the best of the best.”
Fidone has been staying busy during quarantine making sure to get his workouts in. He spends a lot of time at the Warren Academy, especially with his 7-on-7 team.
Fidone released his top six schools in March. At that point, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame and LSU made the cut. Now the hybrid tight end says that has changed.
“It’s a lot different now,” Fidone said. “Some schools don’t even recruit me from that top six anymore.”
He isn’t exactly sure when or why some of those schools dropped off. It could be that they believe he’s locked in on a couple schools or they found someone else to commit sooner. Either way, he’s content to push forward on his own timeline. Fidone really wants to get out on the road to visit some of his top schools. In his top group he’s only been to Nebraska and Iowa. He has some trips in mind at this point.
“LSU for sure,” Fidone said. “Texas kind of iffy. Then Michigan for sure. LSU and Michigan are the ones I really want to hit.”
Since he’s been to Lincoln and Iowa City several times already, he doesn’t plan to use an official visit with either. He’s built relationships with the players and coaches in Lincoln. Fidone says that he hears from Coach Scott Frost and tight ends coach Sean Beckton a lot. He and Beckton have grown close and have a great relationship.
The nation’s No. 1 tight end for the 2021 cycle is looking for the right fit at his future home.
“You kind of feel it or you don’t,” Fidone said. “It’s kind of that way with a lot of things. You feel it when you walk on campus when you are walking through talking to people. I’m sure every recruit knows what I’m talking about. It’s hard to explain really but it’s what I’m looking for. Obviously, the fit factor, relationship with the coaches and how I’ll be used. Education, too. It’s a combination of everything.”
4-star TE @ThomasFidone with a nice grab in one on ones at the Warren Academy Showcase. pic.twitter.com/DWNMfhaaCL
— Greg Smith (@GregSmithHV) July 25, 2020
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
