MTSU leads for 3-star RB

Three-star running back Taylor Thomas of Jacksonville (Fla.) Ed White hopes to decide sometime during the season and as of now, Middle Tennessee and Maryland are clear leaders over his other favorites of Utah, Indiana and Georgia Southern.

"Really out of those two, it's neck and neck," the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Thomas said of MTSU and Maryland. "They have a huge lead because I talk a lot to (Blue Raiders recruiting coordinator Justin Watts) and (Terrapins receivers coach Keenan McCardell)."

Thomas gives the Blue Raiders the slight lead over Maryland because of the opportunity to make an immediate impact.

"There, I can play right away," he said. "They've installed an offense that's fast tempo and they don't have a problem putting a small guy in the lineup. I've been there once, and it was very different. I had never been out of Jacksonville before so to be up there in Tennessee was a good experience. Everyone came to me with open arms."

Of his 10 offers, only the Terrapins have offered him as a receiver, which intrigues him.

"Everyone is recruiting me as a running back," Thomas said. "I'd like to play slot receiver. I talk to coach McCardell every day and he said I can play slot receiver."

While Thomas has yet to visit Maryland, he said he plans to take his official visit there, along with the other schools in his top five.

"I want to get a feel for what the coaches think and how I fit on their depth chart," he said. "From there, I'll do my research."

Adam Krohn is a Southeast Region football recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.