DT can write his ticket

Junior to Watch: Marcus Thomas

School: Jacsonville (Fla.) Mandarin

Position: Defensive tackle

Size and Speed: Thomas is 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds. He has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.7 seconds, and he should be able to qualify with a 2.5 grade point average and an 850 SAT score.

Honors: Thomas was selected to the all-district team as a junior.

Statistics: Thomas made 80 tackles and 15 sacks as a junior.

Favorites: Thomas favors Florida State over Miami, Florida and South Carolina.

Skinny: Which two words describes a prospect that has been offered a scholarship before May from Florida, Florida State and Miami? Big-time! Marcus Thomas, who is from Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin, is exactly that. Defensive tackles with size, speed and strength are premium and that’s why all of the big schools are knocking down his door. Which lucky school has the inside track?

“I’ve always been a Seminole fan,” Thomas said. “Florida State is my leader, and I also like Miami and Florida. Miami has a great defense, and there’s always a great rivalry with Florida. One year Florida State wins and the next year Florida wins.”

In his senior season, Thomas is ready to get things going and to be noticed.

“I’ve always had someone in front of me like Chris Anderson,” Thomas said. For the last few years, I’ve been playing in his shadows. It’s been good though because; it drives me to be competitive.”

According to Thomas he’s a student of the game. He watches a lot of film to insure that there are no surprises when game-time arrives. He also touts being able to find the ball at all times on the field as one of strengths.

This summer Thomas plans on attending Louisiana State’s football camp.