Brian Thomas Jr.

UPDATES

Week 3: With WR teammate Malik Nabers hogging the ball (13 catches, 239 yards, 2 TDs), Thomas was still able to catch seven passes for 60 yards in 41-14 mauling of Mississippi State

Week 2:  In 72-10 win over Grambling, Thomas caught seven of his eight targets for 142 yards and touchdowns of 26 and ten yards. He lined up outside on 40 of his 45 pass play snaps.

Week 1: Against Florida State, Thomas was targeted eight times, caught  7 passes for 142 yards with a long of 75 and a TD of 25 yards. But FSU prevailed,  42-24..

Week 0: DNP

OVERVIEW

Brian Thomas Jr. has measurables and talent to be a solid addition to most NFL teams. At 6-feet, 3 and 3/4 inches -- roster height of 6-4 -- Thomas makes a great target, especially with his long arms and big hands, although he needs to cut down on drops.

He plays a little faster than his time of 4.48 seconds in 40 yards.

As a sophomore in 2022 he played 12 games and had 27 catches for 330 yards for an average of 12.2 yards per catch, with 4 TDs, and an elite QB rating when targeted of 120.1.

In 2021 as a freshman, Thomas Jr. played in 12 games for the Tigers as he made 28 receptions for 359 yards for an average of 12.8 yards per reception, with 2 TDs, and QB rating when targeted of 111.7.

Was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN/247 Sports.

ANALYSIS

Strengths:

A smooth runner who has a knack of creating separation, Thomas has the long arms and soft hands to provide a sizable catch radius. A natural pass-catcher, usually reliable hands and intense focus. He can snatch the ball with his hands despite a traffic jam.

With his height, wingspan and strong hands, Thomas Jr. should become a favorite red-zone target.

Thomas shows a natural, smooth running style with quick feet to make angular cuts on patterns and a shifty manner in his start-stop technique that can break ankles. Dangerous after the catch.

Weaknesses: Sometimes seems hassled by press coverage, which means he will see in-your-fact coverage by aggressive NFL DBs until he proves he can cope with it. He must establish himself or defenders will use physicality to mess up his ability as a smooth-striding, elusive runner before and after the catch. Thomas showed a streak of dropsy, but may have overcome that.

FRANKLY: Let's see how he does throughout 2023, but NFL teams should covet his height and the huge target he can be in the red zone.

HISTORY — from college profile

2022: Played in 13 games, starting six…Caught 31 passess for 361 yards and five TDs…Started off 2022 with season-high five receptions in opening-day loss to Florida State (9/4)…tied season high with five catches in home loss to Tennessee (10/8)...Had season-high receiving 65 yards vs. New Mexico (9/24), including a season-long 57-yard reception.

2021 (fr): Played in 12 games…His nine starts were the most of any true freshman on the team last year…Caught 28 passes for 359 yards and two TDs…caught at least one pass in all but one game in which he appeared…Hauled in a 8-yard TD pass on LSU’s opening drive against Alabama, putting the Tigers up 7-0 in the first quarter...TD reception against Alabama was the first of his career…Added a 42-yard reception in the third quarter in win over ULM…The 42-yard reception stands as his career long…Caught 1 pass for 18 yards in collegiate debut at UCLA…Caught career-best five passes for 32 yards vs. Auburn...Has career-high 61 yards on four catches in win over ULM…Capped season with two receptions for 15 yards vs. Kansas State in the Texas Bowl.

High school: Two-sport standout at Walker High School just outside of Baton Rouge, LA … Excelled in both football and basketball at Walker High School … Earned 4-stars from ESPN, Rivals and the 247Sports Composite rankings … Listed as the nation’s No. 86 high school prospect and the No. 13 wide receiver … Listed as the No. 4 player in Louisiana … Caught 30 passes for 507 yards and seven TDs as a senior in 2020 … Added a pair of rushing TDs … As a junior, hauled in 75 passes for 1,272 yards and 17 touchdowns … Caught 10 passes for 155 yards and a TD against top-ranked St. Thomas More as a senior … In his first football game at Walker – which came as a sophomore in 2018 – caught four passes for 278 yards and three TDs (89, 63, and 75 yards) … Selected to participate in the 2021 Adidas All-American Bowl … On the basketball court as a freshman, helped Walker to a 33-4 mark and the 2018 5A championship, the first in school history … Named Most Outstanding Player in state title game in 2018 after scoring 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds in win over Landry-Walker … As a sophomore, had 29 points and eight rebounds in a loss to Thibodaux High School in 2019 5A state title game … Named second team 5A All State as junior … Scored more than 1,000 points in each of his three seasons of basketball … Coached in high school by Chad Mahaffey.

2022

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
32.0	11.6	5.0	57.0	372.0

2021

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
3.0	0.0	6.0	2.0	5.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
28.0	12.8	2.0	42.0	359.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0