Thursday decision for standout LB

Fresh off a visit to Pittsburgh, one of the top inside linebackers in the Maryland/D.C. area is going to make a decision later this week. Derron Thomas is down to two and it appears to be a dead heat.

"I had a real nice time at Pitt," said the 6-foot-2, 225-pound inside linebacker. "I really enjoyed the whole visit. My host was Malcolm Postell and we had a nice time. He's a linebacker so I got an idea of what it's like to play that position at Pitt.

"I'm down to Pitt and Syracuse. They're both really prestigious academic schools and have good programs that are great for linebackers. I'll make my decision Thursday night at 8:00."

Thomas and his Greenbelt (Md.) Eleanor Roosevelt squad only played eight games during the season because of the sniper situation, but he still posted good numbers. He had 88 tackles, six sacks, and six forced fumbles.

"I know a couple of guys on Pitt and Syracuse that I played against a couple of years ago, so that evens out. I like all the coaches on both staffs and get along well with them. I like the way I would fit in at either school at linebacker. I want to be able to compete for early playing time and both of those schools offer that."

Thomas told the coaches at both Pitt and Syracuse that he would make his decision Thursday. Both schools are recruiting Thomas as an inside linebacker and he also has offers to Georgia Tech, Louisville and North Carolina.