5. Thomas was the best defensive lineman in both practice sessions. His superb play recognition allowed him to blow up several screen passes and he almost came up with an interception after deflecting one. In the run game, he penetrated his gap to meet the ball carrier in the backfield for several tackles for loss.
- Per Rivals recap of morning and afternoon practice sessions from MS-AL All-Star Game
Hopefully, we can keep this cat on board. I don't know why he thinks he will find more favorable situations at Mississippi State or Clemson. Clemson has 17 defensive linemen returning, Mississippi State has 15 returning DL, and Tennessee has 12! Our number of 12 includes the likes of Carson and Folger (walk-on), too. It is an open and closed book as to who has the thinnest depth chart.
It's all a part of negative recruiting. Schools will always use this as a way to secure a visit and get a guy on campus. We all know anything can happen on campus. I know ours staff is also hammering home assurance as to how important he is to our class.
This kid and whoever is advising him has some serious issues if they are concerned about Tennessee's depth on the Dline. It's probably the best Dline situation in the entire SEC if not country among major programs if you want a chance at very early PT. Ridiculous.
Other things come into play numbers wise. Just because a team has 17 DL guys returning may not come into play with this recruits thinking. What if 8 of those 17 will be gone after one year? It's one thing to go in thinking you may have to sit a year. It's another thing going in thinking you may have to sit 2-3 years if there are 8 other DL guys coming in with you in your class and the other 10 on campus are TFR and So's.
Not buying Thomas is "afraid of competition". The better the comp the better the player (and his development).
Or that he may become a "numbers casualty". If he's a casualty of anything it will be academics, still needs to complete portions of the State Grad Exam to ensure eligibility.
From the start Thomas has been clear and upfront in that he would take both Jan OV's. His not wavering changes nothing.
I have always wanted this guy as a part of our class. Always has been clear about the visits. This has bothered me because I want him to be a VOL.
However, depending on what the coaches told him even when he committed, I can understand keeping his options open. He has kept them open and it seems with the coaches blessing. We do have a numbers thing and he will have to be eligible with all grades.
Reading between the lines, he may not be 100% guaranteed a spot; therefore, keeping other options open as a backup to make sure he goes somewhere he wants to go.
I hope this is not the case because I have always liked him and want him a part of this class.
It just seems that it may mutual for him to also have a backup plan.