LSU Sneaks 2017 DE Justin Thomas out of Alabama
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The SEC West rivalry got personal on Saturday when LSU snuck into the state of Alabama pulling three-star strong-side defensive end Justin Thomas to Baton Rouge.
Thomas was a standout on defense for a loaded Spanish Fort High School team in 2015. The 6-5, 255 pound, end led the Toros in tackles with 147 while coming up with a team-high 22 tackles for a loss, and a team-high 11 sacks. Thomas showed his range and athleticism picking off three passes.
As the Toros streaked to a perfect 15-0 season against 6A competition, Thomas was picking up interest and offers from teams throughout the region. LSU shunned Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Tennessee, among other Division-I schools, for Thomas’ verbal commitment.
With the addition of Thomas, LSU now has 20 verbal commitments to their 2017 class. The Tigers have a few holes to fill in on defense with their remaining open scholarship slots especially at linebacker. 247Sports ranks LSU’s class the third best in the country.
LSU 2017 Verbal Commitment List (20)
SS Grant Delpit, 6-3.5, 181, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
SS JaCoby Stevens, 6-2, 200, Oakland HS, Murfreesboro, TN
CB Kary Vincent, 5-11, 170, Memorial HS, Port Arthur, TX
DE Aaron Moffitt, 6-4, 255, Catholic HS, Baton Rouge, LA
DE Justin Thomas, 6-5, 255, Spanish Fort HS, Spanish Fort, AL
DT Neil Farrell, 6-4, 295, Murphy HS, Mobile AL
DT Tyler Shelvin, 6-3, 300, Northside HS, Lafayette, LA
OG Saahdiq Charles, 6-5, 314, Madison-Ridgeland HS, Madison, MS
OG Edward Ingram, 6-4, 325, DeSoto HS, DeSoto, TX
OT Austin Deculus, 6-6, 323, Cy-Fair HS, Cypress, TX
OT Seth Steward, 6-8, 320, Point Pleasant HS, Point Pleasant, WV
FB Tory Carter, 6-2, 255, Lee County HS, Leesburg, GA
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 5-8, 196, Catholic HS, Baton Rouge, LA
RB/ATH Patrick Queen, 6-1, 205 Livonia HS, Livonia, LA
QB Myles Brennan, 6-3, 180, St. Stanislaus HS, Bay Saint Louis, MS
QB Lowell Narcisse, 6-2.5, 224, St. James HS, St. James, LA
WR Jhamon Ausbon, 6-2.5, 217, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
WR Stephen Guidry, 6-4, 190, Hinds C.C., Raymond, MS
WR Mannie Netherly, 6-2, 183, Crosby HS, Crosby, TX
ATH Jontre Kirklin, 5-11.5, 166, Lutcher HS, Lutcher, LA
Photo credit: scout.com; No. 6 Justin Thomas on the field for Spanish Fort.