Bryan Thomas Jr. sets return to South Carolina for final season
South Carolina football will retain a veteran pass rusher for the 2025 season. Bryan Thomas, Jr., a rising senior EDGE, signed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Garnet Trust, indicating a return for his final year in Columbia.
Garnet Trust announced Thomas’ news on Thursday afternoon.
The 6’2″, 247-pound EDGE player is entering his fourth year with the Gamecocks. Because of that, he is one of the most experienced defensive ends on the roster. Having played 33 games during three seasons, Thomas has logged 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. He also posted career-high numbers with 3.5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss in 2024.
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Recently, South Carolina director of player personnel and recruiting Darren Uscher told GamecockCentral that player retention is a huge focus. Previously announced Garnet Trust deals back up that claim.
During the 2024 season, Williams was a key reserve behind starters Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart. He had some big moments this fall, including a strip sack against Oklahoma and then a huge run fit on 4th down against Clemson that led to a combined tackle for loss for Demetrius Knight and Jalon Kilgore. Following Kennard’s exit to the NFL, Thomas could be in line for an even bigger role.
2025 will be Thomas’ senior season with the Gamecocks.
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Bryan Thomas, Jr. Bio on Gamecocksonline
Third-year EDGE rusher… saw more regular duty during the 2023 season and expected to be heavily in the mix again in 2024… put together a really good spring… improved in the run game as he added some weight while maintaining his speed… consistent and durable performer… very quick and uses his leverage well… has an arsenal of pass rush moves… has appeared in 22 games over the past two seasons with six starts.
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2023 (Sophomore)
Second year player who saw action in all 12 games, making six starts at the EDGE position… credited with 22 tackles including a pair of tackles for loss and a sack… logged three quarterback hurries and forced a fumble… earned starts against North Carolina, Furman, Mississippi State, Missouri, Texas A&M and Jacksonville State… credited with a career-high four tackles against North Carolina and Georgia… logged a sack and forced his first career fumble at Texas A&M.
2022 (Freshman)
True freshman EDGE rusher who saw action in 10 contests… did not appear in the first three games of the season, then saw action in each of the final 10 regular season contests… credited with six tackles and two quarterback hurries… notched three tackles each against South Carolina State and Florida.
HIGH SCHOOL
Graduated from Foundation Academy in Winter Garden, Fla. in 2022… the Lions went 7-4 in his senior season of 2021… logged 70 tackles with 25 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks as a senior… forced three fumbles and recovered one… also carried the ball 23 times for 188 yards and two TDs… coached by Andre Walker… considered the 128th-best player in Florida, the 57th-best EDGE rusher in the country and No. 964 overall in the 247Sports Composite.
PERSONAL
Bryan Tyjuan Thomas Jr. was born June 28, 2004… is a public health major… father, Bryan Thomas, was a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2002… spent 10 seasons with the New York Jets totaling 442 tackles and 33.5 sacks and was an assistant coach on the staff at Foundation.
