Brian Thomas, Jr. drafted by Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Draft
LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas, Jr. is headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 23rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. After an incredible 2023 campaign, the Walker, La. native is off to the NFL as the third 2024 1st round pick for LSU.
Thomas finished his impressive 2023 campaign with 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns. He ended his LSU career with 127 catches for 1,897 yards and 24 touchdowns. In 2023, he was named an AP All-American.
According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, the former LSU wide receiver looks most like Tee Higgins.
“At 6-3, Thomas used his length and speed to lead the FBS in touchdowns with 17 at LSU,” Rittenberg wrote. “His combine 40-yard dash time of 4.33 seconds was faster than Higgins’ 4.59 and should lead to an earlier selection, but both have big frames and the ability to rack up touchdowns in and around the red zone. Like Higgins, who averaged nearly 20 yards per catch in his final season at Clemson, Thomas can consistently attack defenses down the field.”
LSU wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton Jr. spoke about the upcoming event for the Tiger receivers during ‘Andy Staples On3’ on Friday. He made good on a bet with both prospects, buying their draft day suits.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly stumped for both Thomas and LSU’s other star wideout, Malik Nabers, to garner attention for the Heisman Trophy. The award ultimately went to LSU’s signal caller, Jayden Daniels.
“I think you have to include Brian Thomas‘ numbers and Brian I think rivals Marvin Harrison‘s numbers right now and he’s in conversation for the Heisman,” Kelly said this fall. “I think if you take both my receivers, those two and what they have done could easily be in that conversation.”
Daniels went to the Washington Commanders with the No. 2 overall pick while Nabers was selected with the No. 6 overall pick by the New York Giants.
A two-sport star at Walker High School, Thomas Jr. was the fourth-ranked recruit overall in the 2021 recruiting class in Louisiana. Thomas caught 30 passes for 507 yards and seven TDs in 2020.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Thomas was the No. 93 overall prospect in the country and No. 15 overall wide receiver in the nation.
