Phoenix CB Cree Thomas becomes official with Notre Dame on National Signing Day
It’s very likely that Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison will declare for the NFL Draft in the coming weeks. That’ll be an understandable decision but still stings to lose a player of his caliber. Luckily, the Irish have recruited well at cornerback and have one coming in who has already drawn comparisons to Morrison.
That prospect would be Phoenix Brophy Prep’s Cree Thomas, who played with Morrison for a season at the high school level. When Morrison was a senior, Thomas was in his freshman season. Morrison took a mentorship role for Thomas throughout his prep career. Morrison answered all the questions that Thomas has had about the recruiting process and more.
“The connection with Ben — that was another huge reason,” Thomas said back in Nov. 2023 about picking Notre Dame. “It’s starting the Brophy pipeline to Notre Dame. When I told Ben that I was committing, and he was super hyped.”
Thomas’ play as a well-rounded, heady cornerback with strong ball skills reminds us of Morrison. It’s a lofty comparison, but one that Thomas doesn’t mind.
“It was cool to see that they developed a kid from my high school,” he previously told Blue & Gold. “It makes me know that if I work as hard as him, then I can do what he did.”
Thomas initially committed to the Fighting Irish over the likes of Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Wisconsin and a handful of others. He locked in and never looked back. And on National Signing Day, he officially joined the Notre Dame football program.
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“It’s definitely nice — knowing I’m locked in to a place that I know I want to go to,” Thomas said earlier this year. “The coaches are so awesome, as they have been throughout the entire process. We talk at least every other day. It’s great knowing I’m locked in to such a great place.”
Thomas, who ranks as the No. 480 overall player and No. 47 cornerback in America according to the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking, loved his Notre Dame official visit back in June.
“It was incredible,” he said. “It’s always great being back home, and it definitely reassured me that I made the right choice. The family feel there is incredible, and we even got to go to Coach [Marcus] Freeman’s house for a while. All the commits and recruits there bonded together really well.”
In 13 games of his senior season, Thomas recorded 40 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, 2 caused fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Thomas was named to the 2023 Arizona 6A Central All-Region first-team defense for his efforts as a junior.
