2014 Texas standout is Big 10 bound

Klein (Texas) Collins standout Jordan Thomas has been turning heads in Texas since he stepped foot on the varsity field as a freshman. The 6-1, 180-pound athlete just wrapped up a stellar junior season in 2012, and quickly hit the recruiting trail.

This weekend that trail took him to Evanston, Illinois and the campus of Northwestern University. Shortly after his arrival, Thomas figured out he was home.

"It was a toss up between there and Stanford, and once I actually came out and saw it and learned more about their program, it just jumped out that that is where I want to be," Thomas said. "Then campus is beautiful and I have Chicago at my disposal. The location of the school is phenomenal and just being there I feel at home. All the people here have similar interest that I do."

It was obvious right away to Thomas that Northwestern and coach Pat Fitgerald's program offered a unique package of opportunities.

"It's just everything. What I looked into most were the academics of course," Thomas said. "I liked the idea of having three different sections of education rather than having semesters. Their APR is the best in the country. They graduate 97.5 percent of their kids.

" It was beautiful. I feel at home just being out here. I'll get a great education and play in the Big 10. I still get to play the Nebraskas and Michigans and they have a new thing with Notre Dame. I'm looking forward to it."

While it is early in the process, Thomas feels good about his decision and does not plan to look around.

"That is the end of the process," Thomas said. "Ultimately it was just Northwestern and Stanford. I thought about Berkeley just because of the education, but ultimately what I'm here for is a great education and football is a plus."

Of course just because Thomas does not plan on listening does not mean other schools will shy away from showing interest. Thomas already holds an offer from Utah and was drawing significant interest from the likes of LSU, Cal, Stanford, and Oklahoma State.