Continuing his basketball roots, LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas is a silent threat in the deep room | LSU

Brian Thomas Jr. stood out in two sports during his high school years.

In the 2018 Class 5A State Championship Game, Thomas led a come-from-behind victory and helped Walker High School win their first state title with a 62-57 win in overtime.

The team was eight points down with just over two minutes remaining when Thomas took the lead.

“He had a couple of steals or a deflection that led to a steal, but it was only because he understood the game. He read what the offense was doing,” said Walker Basketball. Coach Anthony Shirou said. “I just want to not give up, win games and play what I need to do.”

Thomas compiled a performance of 20 points and 8 rebounds and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Thomas had a basketball future, but now he’s one of his LSU’s most efficient wide receivers.

“There was certainly some interest early on. He had some verbal offers as Texas A&M spoke to him,” Shiloh said. “But you know how recruiting works, and when a player proves to be a keen recruit for football, basketball people back off.”

Elements of Thomas’ basketball career remain on the football field. From jumping past defenders on long-yard catches to his quiet demeanor that allows him to be an unsuspecting playmaker. Thomas is the fourth star in LSU’s wide receiver room, just as Shiloh called it the “sixth star” on the basketball court. He’s a trusted target that no one talks about.

LSU coach Brian Kelly said, “He’s done a lot for us when it comes to his production.” However, it is a large-bodied man who has proven to be an effective weapon for us.

Thomas caught 18 of 25 targets. This puts him 72% of the time, and this is the senior who has caught 81% of his targets (18 of 22) on the team. He ranks second only to wide receiver Jaray Jenkins. increase.

Thomas’ moments are sometimes overshadowed by the depth of the wide receiver room.

On Saturday, Thomas leaped past Florida cornerback Jalen Kimber in the end zone and took a pass from quarterback Jaden Daniels.

At that moment, ESPN broadcaster Joe Tesitore said, “Neighbors got it!”

Thomas then wrestled a ball from Kimber on the ground and got to his feet as the scoreboard added six points to LSU.

“Check it out… Brian Thomas got it! Big catch, Brian Thomas!” said Tesitore.

Thomas has 254 receiving yards in seven games, second only to Neighbors on the team. He is also averaging 14.1 yards per catch, second only to Chris Hilton who boasts more than twice as many receives as him. He also has his second-most touchdowns his receptions (3) this year behind Jenkins (4).

Thomas’ first touchdown catch was on one of the Southeastern Conference’s big stages, against Alabama last year. He caught a pass from Max Johnson on the flat and walked it for the score.

“He’s the type of kid who’s always quiet and might say a little silly stuff, but other than that, he just does his job,” said his father, Brian Thomas Sr.

Thomas, Jr. played youth and middle school football, but decided that Thomas, Sr., was too “frail” while tall and felt that basketball would provide a helpful weightlifting program, so he decided to drop out in his freshman year of high school. Didn’t play when. he gets stronger

And it did.

In his first football game as a sophomore, Thomas Jr. caught four passes for 278 yards and scored three touchdowns. That was the moment Thomas Sr. realized his son could play football at the next level.

“He probably liked football and basketball, but football was the best,” Thomas Sr. said.

Thomas Jr. also remained active on the basketball court. Skillow remembers when, in the 2019 semi-final against Ouachita his parrish, Thomas moved a defender at the top of the key, sprinting down the lane and dunking the ball while receiving a foul in the process.

The team played the state championship game again, and despite losing to Thibodeau, similarly shined with 29 points and 8 rebounds.

After reaching the state semifinals in basketball during his junior year, Thomas decided to focus exclusively on soccer during his senior year. He was still hanging around the team, standing behind a bench with the sports medicine staff, handing water to his former teammates.

“He was that kind of guy. He was still part of the team, but he wasn’t,” Shiro said.

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