After producing a national headliner last year in five-star defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, O. Perry Walker High School is doing its part again this recruiting season — this time with cornerback Dwayne Thomas.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 170- pound defensive back is listed as a Scout.com three-star prospect and considered by many to be the top cornerback from Louisiana in this year’s class.
Thomas marked the ninth commitment for the Tigers’ 2012 class after pledging April 9.
“I was ready to get some pressure off my chest,” said Thomas, who chose LSU over a slew of offers including Arizona, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Utah and Vanderbilt. “It’s a great tradition, and I grew up watching LSU. I was very excited to be coming into the next level and be coached by one of the greatest coaches and a national championship coach at that.”
Thomas said he still stays in touch with his former teammate Johnson and wants to follow in his footsteps to graduate high school early and land on campus next spring.
“We were up there for the spring game, and [Johnson] is loving it,” Thomas said. “It’s his home now. By me graduating early as well … and being able to play in the spring, it’s an advantage for me.”
Derek Ponamsky, recruiting analyst and publisher of BayouBengalsInsider.com, said Thomas tops his list of in-state cornerbacks and falls into the line of big-time defensive back recruits that has become a staple of LSU recruiting in recent years.
“On the highlight film, he’s all over the place,” Ponamsky said. “He’s got the type of body you’re looking for in the SEC. He has the talent to be a [Southeastern Conference] starting cornerback. He just finished his junior year in high school so he’s got a little more maturing to do … but he could be a high-level corner in the SEC.”
But Thomas’ skills aren’t limited to the field.
Recruiting experts raved about the leadership the New Orleans native possesses and believe he could fill the role of Russell Shepard, reaching out to other possible Tiger recruits.
“[Thomas] is going to be the dude who runs this class,” said Shea Dixon, managing editor of TigerSportsDigest.com. “He’s so personable and very outgoing, and I think they’re banking on him to build the class and call kids. When you’re talking about Louisiana guys, you need someone at home who takes that initiative, and I think it’s going to be Thomas.”
Thomas said he makes an effort to meet other prospects around the state at recruiting camps and combines, and he said the 2012 class is trying to recreate the connection “The Fam” built last year.
“Once you commit to LSU, you get other players to come commit with you,” Thomas said. “All of us committed to LSU call each other brothers, and you’re a part of the family now. When I see a lot of these potential players in Louisiana, I try to help them and work out with them.”
One of the closest bonds Thomas formed is with five-star Dutchtown safety Landon Collins.
Thomas and Collins grew up together and attended the same schools before Hurricane Katrina separated the two in 2005, but Thomas said the two have stayed in touch throughout the recruiting process.
“Me and Landon are like brothers right now,” Thomas said. “We’re going to be working out together this whole summer and helping each other get better. We always help each other out, and we always want to be on the same team, so hopefully I could steer him to LSU.”
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Contact Mark Clements at
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