Notre Dame Commit Profile: Defensive End Loghan Thomas
Notre Dame dipped into Texas once again for another talented player, this time landing Katy Paetow star Loghan Thomas. The Irish beat out programs like Georgia, Oklahoma, USC, LSU and Texas A&M to land Thomas. Thomas has since transferred to Ohio for his senior season.
Here's the Irish Breakdown commit profile for Thomas.
LOGHAN THOMAS PROFILE
Hometown/High School: Lakewood, Ohio/St. Edward
Height/Weight: 6-4, 210
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Player Comp: Josh Allen, Kentucky
2022 Stats: 31 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1 sack (7 games)
2021 Stats: 43 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 14 QB hurries
Recruited By: Al Washington
Offers: Notre Dame, Georgia, LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, USC, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Arizona, Duke, Kansas State, Kansas, Colorado, Houston, SMU
RECRUITING RANKINGS
On3: 4-star - No. 160 overall - No. 16 Edge
247Sports: 4-star - No. 186 overall - No. 10 10 Edge
Rivals: 4-star - No. 188 overall - No. 7 Weakside End
ESPN: 4-star - No. 231 overall - No. 27 Defensive End
On3 Consensus: 4-star - No. 178 overall - No. 13 Edge
247Sports Composite: 4-star - No. 178 overall - No. 13 Edge
FILM ANALYSIS
Thomas was more of a true three-point stance defensive end as a sophomore, but as a junior he did all of the things I mentioned above. His versatility was on display to a far greater degree as a junior, and that is something that Notre Dame clearly likes about him as a player.
Versatility isn't the only reason Notre Dame decided to go all-in on Thomas. There are two other traits that shine as well, and the first is his combination of length-frame-power. Thomas has grown to over 6-4, and he shows the kind of frame that should allow him to get up to around 250 pounds and maintain his athletic skills, if not build on them. Despite being just barely over 200 pounds on his junior film, Thomas also showed a good punch and impressive lower body strength.
Thomas is also an explosive athlete that can cover a lot of ground in a hurry. He's still growing into his body a bit, but the snaps where he is allowed to just fire off the ball and attack are quite impressive. The Paetow star shows an impressive first step, he can bend around the edge and his closing speed shines on film. As he gets stronger and fills out I expect his first step to get even more explosive, and that's where the upside comes from.
Despite being a long-limbed athlete, Thomas shows solid change of direction skills, which should help him dropping into coverage, playing laterally and handling the line games that Notre Dame likes to utilize. That ability should also allow him to quickly redirect and get to ball carriers and passers.
NOTRE DAME FIT
Notre Dame wanted and needed a more "true" Vyper in this class. That means an edge player that can do a little bit of everything and can move around the defense a bit. It means a player that can be a pass game disruptor off the edge, a defender that can be stout against boundary side runs, a guy that can drop into coverage, and a player that can play off the ball a bit or rush the passer from different spots.
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2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense
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