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Recruiting: 2021 DL Jordon Thomas commits to Texas

by:Bridgeland0730•05/02/20
Jordon Thomas

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UT’s defensive line haul in the 2020 class netted two elite recruits – Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton. For 2021, Oscar Giles is picking up where he left off. 

Port Arthur Memorial four-star defensive end Jordon Thomas committed to Texas on Saturday. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher chose the Horns over LSU, Texas A&M, and TCU. 

Excerpt from Recruiting Notebook — Hudl/highlights
How he fits at Texas: Thomas is an ultra-explosive edge player who plays under a lot of control. You can tell he trusts his first step quickness to get him where he needs to be when he needs to be there without having to sell out every play to get into the backfield. His frame suggests he’s going to end up being 6-3 and 260+ so while he has the athleticism to play as a weak side end/OLB hybrid he could also keep his hand in the dirt as a strongside end that can set the edge or move in to create pileups in the B-gap against the run. This is the sort of player that comes alive in a four-down scheme that would have been wasted further inside as a 4i in the previous system. He could be a strong run defender that approaches double-digit sacks as an upperclassman starter. – Ian Boyd

Coach says: Strengths – A good frame to add bulk. Well toned and muscular through the midsection. Shows excellent power especially in the upper body. Shows some pretty good quickness off the ball and a good stun to the blocker when he engages. Good athleticism for the position. Depending on how his body changes, could end up with some position versatility.

Areas for Improvement / Concern – Will frequently get upright off the snap. Does not use his hands consistently and needs to work on not letting the blocker into his body. Very raw technically. Will need to maximize leverage and show some plan of attack based on his opponent. Needs to win with more than just a bull rush. Will frequently get into the backfield but show an arm tackle or a forearm shiver rather than a form tackle.

How this affects Texas: This manimal from the Golden Triangle is a sight to see in person. He’s every bit of 6-foot-3 and in the 240 range. He looks like he could hold another 25-35 pounds. I see him as a strongside DE at the next level, as do early front runners Texas, LSU, and Texas A&M. Coming off an ankle injury his junior year, Thomas is finally back at it this offseason. This is a great kid with a tremendous personality that will fit in any college locker room. He really likes Texas, so stay the course, Coach Giles. – Justin Wells

Thomas is the eighth member of UT’s Class of 2021 joining Landen King (Humble Atascocita), Ja’Tavion Sanders (Denton Ryan), Derrick Harris Jr. (New Caney), Billy Bowman Jr. (Denton Ryan), Juan Davis (Everman), Hayden Conner (Katy Taylor), Jalen Milroe (Katy Tompkins).

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