Keyshawn Johnson’s Nephew, Michael Thomas, Is Next Big Thing at Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Just Get Me the Damn Ball!

That was the title of Keyshawn Johnson’s 1997 autobiography, released just one year into the 1996 No. 1 overall pick’s NFL career. And more than 17 years later, it’s become a rallying cry of sorts for his nephew, although Michael Thomas hardly carries himself with the same bravado as his famous uncle.

Few would describe Thomas as loud and boisterous, at least not in front of the media, where it’s clear that the Ohio State wide receiver would prefer to disappear behind the doors of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center as quickly as possible. A shy kid with a sheepish smile, it doesn’t take much to see that Thomas would rather field passes from his quarterback than questions from reporters.

But the Los Angeles native presents a different persona on Twitter, where @Cantguardmike has been known to let his inner Uncle Keyshawn out. Perhaps never more so than he did following last season’s loss in the Orange Bowl, where he called out the Buckeyes’ lack of production at the wide receiver position.

“There was 2 people on the field that combined for 200+ plays past 2 games only brought to the table 3 catches 16 yards,” Thomas posted, among other remarks in a string of since-deleted tweets. “They are considered starters at Ohio State!”

If Thomas was frustrated—and his posts would indicate that he was—with the underwhelming numbers of starters Devin Smith and Evan Spencer, he was likely more upset with…

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