An active recruiting week for the Longhorns just added another key piece, with Texas securing a verbal commitment from defensive end Jordon Thomas moments ago. The Port Arthur Memorial standout announced his decision on Twitter.
A 6-4, 235-pounder, Thomas had narrowed his list down to an in-state battle between Texas and Texas A&M, but said he likes the family feel he’s experienced on his numerous visits to Austin.
“One of the reasons why I like Texas is their motto ‘State on your chest, family on my back,’” Thomas said.
A three-star prospect, Thomas missed his junior season due to injury but had an impressive offer sheet, including scholarships from LS, Oklahoma, and Baylor in addition to Texas and A&M. A talented defender who is still somewhat new to the defensive end position, Thomas’s upside has college coaches intrigued.
“Thomas opened his football career at Memorial as a tight end, but transitioned over to the defensive side of the ball in 2018 and broke out as a stud defensive end. That season, Thomas recorded 32 tackles, including 7.0 for loss, and another 5.0 sacks. The 2019 season was expected to be an even bigger opportunity for Thomas with an entire offseason of training under his belt, but a knee injury suffered Week 1 sidelined him for the entirety of the fall,” said Rivals.com recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman. “Thomas has an excellent get-off and is quick off the ball, a major asset in his skill-set and is a good fit for the personnel in first-year defensive coordinator Chris Ash's four-man front.
Thomas becomes the Longhorns’ eighth commitment in the 2021 class and he’s Texas’ second defensive end commitment, joining Ja’Tavion Sanders, who can play on both sides of the ball but will likely play on defense at the next level.
Thomas took multiple visits to Texas earlier in the year before things were shut down, giving him a chance to get familiar with the UT program and coaching staff. Originally, he had planned to commit sometime next fall but this week moved up his timeline, which worked out well for the Longhorns as they continue to build momentum on the recruiting trail.
“He has great bend flying off the edge and has the potential to cause havoc. He is going to be even more dangerous as he adds more pass-rush technique to his game,” Spiegelman said. “He's a stout run defender able to set the edge and absorb blockers while still able to stop the ball-carrier going to the edge or inside.”
Thomas is Texas’ second commitment this week from the 2021 class, joining tight end Landen King. The Longhorns also added a commitment from graduate transfer wide receiver Tariq Black and 2020 cornerback Jahdae Barron.
