LSU is without another potential starter on the defensive side of the ball with just more than a month to go before kickoff.
After cornerback Kary Vincent Jr announced his plans to sit out the season and prepare for the NFL draft, Tigers defensive lineman Justin Thomas left the team on Tuesday, per Brody Miller of The Athletic.
Justin Thomas has left the #LSU football team, Ed Orgeron says.
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) August 18, 2020
Thomas’ departure puts the Tigers in a bind at defensive end. However, Andre Anthony and Travez Moore are now competing for that starting role. His reason for leaving the team is undisclosed at this time.
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There has been speculation that either Anthony or Moore were going to step up and give Thomas a run for his money in terms of the starting role, though.
The Tigers will likely have a new face starting at the position, and the competition for the main role may not be decided for a few more weeks.
Thomas was expected to be the starter at strong-side defensive end, and was entering his junior season with the program. In five games played in 2019, Thomas had one start.
Out of his five appearances, he recorded eight tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss while appearing mainly as a backup aside from his one start.
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Last October, he left the team for personal reasons and then returned for the spring. This second departure has the coaching staff in a whirl, as his return is unknown now.
The void of Thomas leaves the spot open for a few different players. Anthony and Moore will likely be the starting defensive ends, as fellow defensive end Neil Farrell opted out of the season not long ago.
Gaye, Phillip Webb, BJ Ojulari and TK McLendon could all compete for the backup spots to Anthony and Moore and earn playing time in some form this season in the absence of Thomas.
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