DE Xavier Thomas to the Tigers
[SIZE= 14px]APRIL 8, 2017 BY [/SIZE][SIZE= 14px]PHIL KORNBLUT[/SIZE][SIZE= 14px] [/SIZE][SIZE= 14px]Link: [/SIZE]SPORTSTALK
Xavier Thomas
All-American DE Xavier Thomas (6-3 255) of Florence and IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL Saturday brought to a sudden end his recruiting battle between Clemson and USC announcing on Twitter that he will sign with the Tigers in December and enroll in January.
Thomas, who was at Clemson Saturday for the spring game, is another huge pickup for Dabo Swinney’s 2018 class while his decision is a blow to Will Muschamp’s efforts to elevate the Gamecocks’ talent level on defense.
The decision and the timing both were a bit surprising considering Thomas grew up a Gamecock fan and had made numerous visits this spring to USC, including last Saturday’s spring game. Thomas had never publicly stated a preference though many thought Columbia’s proximity to Florence and the Thomas family worked in USC’s favor. Plus, he had stated he would wait until his birthday December 20th to make his announcement.
But Friday word started to surface on Twitter that Thomas could spring for Clemson Saturday. He apparently stopped following Gamecock coaches on his Twitter account. He actually told Swinney of his decision earlier in the week and Muschamp on Thursday.
“I have been talking to my family, and I just wanted to go ahead and get this out of the way,” Thomas said. “I knew Clemson was where I wanted to be, and I didn’t see a reason to put it off any longer. I knew in my heart this is where I wanted to be, and I know it’s the right decision. That is why I took those last two trips to South Carolina. I wanted to make sure. So I went back to Columbia, and after the visit last weekend I really knew for sure.”
Thomas has immense talent and is considered a great pass rusher off the edge. It’s in that vein he sees himself following in the footsteps of a former Clemson great.
“I like to think I am like Vic Beasley. I am a little big bigger than Vic, but I have that speed off the edge,” he said. “I can stop the run and play tough downs in the trenches, but I can use my speed to get to the quarterback. I like the way Clemson uses their defensive ends, and they all get to the next level.”
Thomas gives Clemson seven commitments for the 2018 class.
[SIZE= 14px]APRIL 8, 2017 BY [/SIZE][SIZE= 14px]PHIL KORNBLUT[/SIZE][SIZE= 14px] [/SIZE][SIZE= 14px]Link: [/SIZE]SPORTSTALK
All-American DE Xavier Thomas (6-3 255) of Florence and IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL Saturday brought to a sudden end his recruiting battle between Clemson and USC announcing on Twitter that he will sign with the Tigers in December and enroll in January.
Thomas, who was at Clemson Saturday for the spring game, is another huge pickup for Dabo Swinney’s 2018 class while his decision is a blow to Will Muschamp’s efforts to elevate the Gamecocks’ talent level on defense.
The decision and the timing both were a bit surprising considering Thomas grew up a Gamecock fan and had made numerous visits this spring to USC, including last Saturday’s spring game. Thomas had never publicly stated a preference though many thought Columbia’s proximity to Florence and the Thomas family worked in USC’s favor. Plus, he had stated he would wait until his birthday December 20th to make his announcement.
But Friday word started to surface on Twitter that Thomas could spring for Clemson Saturday. He apparently stopped following Gamecock coaches on his Twitter account. He actually told Swinney of his decision earlier in the week and Muschamp on Thursday.
“I have been talking to my family, and I just wanted to go ahead and get this out of the way,” Thomas said. “I knew Clemson was where I wanted to be, and I didn’t see a reason to put it off any longer. I knew in my heart this is where I wanted to be, and I know it’s the right decision. That is why I took those last two trips to South Carolina. I wanted to make sure. So I went back to Columbia, and after the visit last weekend I really knew for sure.”
Thomas has immense talent and is considered a great pass rusher off the edge. It’s in that vein he sees himself following in the footsteps of a former Clemson great.
“I like to think I am like Vic Beasley. I am a little big bigger than Vic, but I have that speed off the edge,” he said. “I can stop the run and play tough downs in the trenches, but I can use my speed to get to the quarterback. I like the way Clemson uses their defensive ends, and they all get to the next level.”
Thomas gives Clemson seven commitments for the 2018 class.