Cats, Rebs lead for South Carolina LB

Kentucky and Ole Miss have emerged as co-leaders for one of South Carolina’s top linebackers.

North Augusta standout Brandon Thomas (6-1, 230, 4.6) has drawn offers from Kentucky, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Wake Forest, Louisville and East Carolina and is drawing interest from the likes of Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Clemson, N.C. State and Maryland.

“Right now, I’m leaning toward Kentucky and Ole Miss because they’ve recruited me the hardest,” he said. “They seem to want me the most, and I want to go somewhere I’m wanted and needed.

“I’m probably going to visit both of those schools next month, and I’m going to try and make an early decision.”

The Wildcats had a head start on Thomas due to former South Carolina assistant Joker Phillips, who is now the UK recruiting coordinator.

“I’ve known coach Phillips for a couple of years now back to when he was with South Carolina,” Thomas said. “I like him a lot. We’ve got a real good relationship, and I like what he’s told me about Kentucky. They’re a team on the way up. They’re also looking for some linebackers, and he feels like I’d have a chance to come in and contribute pretty early.

“The same thing is true for Ole Miss. They’re losing two or three linebackers this year, and it sounds like I may be able to come in and compete.”

With an offer from South Carolina, it may seem odd that Thomas doesn’t have the Gamecocks listed higher at this point.

“I like them, but they haven’t shown nearly as much interest as the other schools,” he said. “I just feel like I may fit in better somewhere else.”

Another school to keep an eye on is Auburn, where Thomas camped this summer.

“I went to their spring game and decided to go back to camp there this summer,” he said. “It was really nice. I liked everything about it – the coaches and facilities and the kind of defense they run. I just liked the overall atmosphere. They told me they liked me, and that they’d be watching me my first two or three games. If they offered a scholarship, they’d be up there pretty high.”

As a junior, Thomas recorded 85 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 15 sacks to earn all-region honors. He may eventually bulk up enough to play defensive end as well. He boasts a 350 bench press and a 450 squat.

He’s also strong in the classroom, sporting a 2.9 core GPA and a 1020 on the SAT.