Brian Thomas Jr (WR)
Measurements:
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 209 pounds
Classification: Junior
School: LSU
Testing Numbers:
Arm: 32 3/4″
Hand: 9 3/4″
40: 4.33 seconds
Broad: 10′ 6″
Vert: 38.5″
Prospect Background:
The Humble Beast is what I tend to refer to this young man as. It would be easy to immediately refer to the player, but there are a lot of stories to tell underneath Brian Thomas Jr.’s quiet and business as usual mentality.
“He’s always been quiet and just the type of kid that might talk a little trash out there, but other than that, he just goes about doing his job,” said his father, Brian Thomas Sr. when asked about his son’s demeanor.
This young man just has God given talent. The fact that he is preparing to enter the NFL Draft and become part of the 1% that many value, where in a different universe he could very well be doing the exact same thing in regards to his talent as a basketball player, speaks volumes to his athletic ability.
Brian Thomas Jr. helped lead Walker High School in Louisiana to it’s first ever state championship en route to being named the Most Outstanding Player in said game.
Not to mention, he was named to the second team All-State as a junior, scoring 1,000+ points in all three of his seasons on the court, while being recruited early by schools such as Texas A&M.
Again, all of this is basketball. As a football prospect, Thomas Jr. has openly stated how the gridiron was always his first love. He played football years prior to his freshman year in high school, but took the year off to hoop because he felt despite being tall he was too frail and basketball would help him tone up some.
Don’t let the hiatus fool you though, in his first game back he caught four passes for 218 yards and 3 touchdowns. He committed full-time to football his junior season and hasn’t looked back since.
While he only has one year of true production at LSU, much of this due to the players that preceded him but make no mistake about it, this young man is a genetic freak.
Stats:
- Freshman
- Rec: 28
- Targets: 41
- Yards: 359
- TDs: 2
- Sophomore
- Rec: 31
- Targets: 48
- Yards: 361
- TDs: 5
- Junior
- Rec: 68
- Targets: 87
- Yards: 1177
- TDs: 17
Alignments/Number of Snaps:
- Slot:
- 21: 24
- 22: 36
- 23: 62
- Outside
- 21: 238
- 22: 242
- 23: 408
Prospect Overview:
Brian Thomas Jr. is a very enticing prospect as the nations leader in touchdown receptions.
In a class with multiple guys that possess the requisite size and athleticism to move very well despite their length, none of them can press the gas like this guy.
At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Thomas Jr. is not only a problem down the field because of his deep speed, but presents YAC ability as well. Simply put, Thomas Jr. is a big play to match (see FSU ‘23).
He’s shown the ability to out muscle and over match defenders with his massive size and ability at the catch point as a vertical threat.
While I would love to see him showcase this same catch radius and range in the short area, he seems to wait for a lot of passes to hit him in the hands instead of attacking full throttle.
I wouldn’t necessarily say Brian Thomas Jr. has the entire route tree at his disposal (he dealt with limited opportunities across the MOF), but he has shown the ability to run multiple routes in the quick game and as a vertical threat, where he has showcased enticing separation ability.
I am not pleased with what I see from him as a run blocker. He shows minimum effort on most tries and had a rep against Florida State on a 4th & 1 where his man makes a tackle for loss because of this.
He has a few drops that concern me a bit (6.8% drop rate) but overall Thomas Jr., should translate well to the next level as an X receiver with massive playmaking potential.
While most of his work will continue to be done in the quick game, he presents an opportunity to put points on the board at any time.
Cover Image Credit: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
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