The IU football team doesn't have to wait until February to get its first hard commitment, as linebacker Jeff Thomas has become the first to sign a National Letter of Intent for 2010, IU coach Bill Lynch announced today.
Thomas (Foothill Community College, Los Altos Hills, CA) is ranked as three-star prospect by Rivals and the fourth-best junior college middle linebacker by Scout. He was named NorCal Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, racking up 104 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.
According to Rivals, Thomas is 6'1", 240 pounds, runs a 4.68 40-yard dash and maxed his bench at 315 for 18 reps. He received offers from New Mexico and University of Texas-El Paso.
He will enroll at IU for the spring semester and could be needed to fill the shoes left by out-going linebackers Matt Mayberry and Will Patterson in the starting lineup next season.
