Given his family's football history, it's no surprise Rio Mesa High senior Jerell Thomas is the Spartans' top cornerback.

Thomas has four brothers, three older, including Kevin who is a junior at USC, and one younger, Enrique, who is also playing for Rio Mesa. In additon to Jerell, all four of his brothers are cornerbacks.

Thomas said some of his earliest childhood memories are of playing football in the backyard and squaring off against his siblings.

Now when they all get together at the family dinner table, talk naturally gravitates toward football, specifically playing cornerback.

"When Kevin comes home on weekends, we go out to the park and work one on one," Thomas said. "He shows me some things that he's learned at USC so I can play better."

Even without the extra coaching from his older brother, Thomas has developed into a shutdown corner for Rio Mesa.

Entering his third year as a varsity starter, Thomas figures to draw the opposing team's best wide receiver each week. It's a challenge he can't wait to face.

Thomas describes himself as a corner who likes taking risks, using his speed to frustrate opposing receivers and also make big plays. Being just 5-foot-8, Thomas often gives away several inches to his opponent, but he uses his 39-inch vertical leap to even the battle.

"I like playing corner because a lot of times it's just you and the guy you are playing," Thomas said. "You know the best player is going to win the battle."

It's often said playing cornerback is similar to being on an island by yourself. That is even more true at Rio Mesa, where the Spartans run a heavy blitzing scheme.

"You have to be confident," Thomas said. "You have to walk up to the line knowing you will lock up your guy.

"And when you do get beat, you have to have a short memory and forget about it."

This season, even when Thomas does get beat, he won't have any time to sit and think about it, because the plan is for him to be the team's No. 1 running back. He's seen some action at running back in the past, but this year the starting job is his to lose.

"I've worked on my own to improve my conditioning," Thomas said. "That way, I can carry the rock 25 times and still go out and play great on defense."

Head coach Bob Gregorchuk said he and the other coaches are pushing Thomas in practice, so he will be ready to carry a heavier load.

While Thomas is a relatively quiet kid, Gregorchuk believes he can be a team leader.

"We expect him to lead by example," Gregorchuk said. "He is a three-year starter on defense, so we expect him to step it up this season."

Thomas plans to do just that. After being part of a few Rio Mesa teams that have come close to winning titles, Thomas said he and his teammates are determined to change that this year.

"We as a team are working hard and we're hungry," Thomas said. "What happened last season does not matter; it's all about this season.

"Our goal is to win a CIF title. We have been getting better every year, so I think we have the talent to get that done."