LSU put a trio of stars into the NFL this year with [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] going in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. All three are off to strong starts, continuing to hold up LSU’s reputation of producing top-tier NFL talent.
Thomas, in particular, is putting on a show. Now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he has 22 catches for 397 yards on the year. On Sunday, he set career highs, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the first time in his young NFL career with 5 catches for 122 yards and a score.
Before the game, Thomas wore a shirt paying respect to [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag], Thomas’ wide receivers coach at LSU. The shirt featured images of Hankton from his time with the Jaguars.
The highlight of the day was an 85-yard touchdown in which Thomas hit 22.15 miles per hour, the fastest measured time for any ball carrier this season.
Thomas made a living off the deep ball at LSU and that hasn’t stopped now that he’s in the NFL.
.@BrianThomas_11 reppin' former Jag and current @LSUfootball WRs Coach @Coach_Hankton 🐆🐯#INDvsJAX pic.twitter.com/B6rkjD1wKv
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 6, 2024
Brian Thomas Jr. recorded a top speed of 22.15 MPH on this TD play.
The fastest ball carrier of the 2024 NFL season, according to @NextGenStats. pic.twitter.com/4ShU6WhUEc
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 6, 2024
Thomas’ blend of size and speed made him a tantalizing prospect for NFL teams. Entering 2023 at LSU, Thomas wasn’t projected to be an early-round pick. But after a strong year and an impressive performance at the NFL combine, Thomas was quick to make a rise up the draft board.
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