"The four-star Class of 2020 defensive lineman from Briarcrest Christian School in Eads, Tenn., is set to reveal his choice Dec. 9 in a ceremony at his school during which he will receive his jersey for the 2020 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, and all signs point to Tennessee being one of the teams to beat, if not the front-runner, going into the final days before his announcement.
I made a 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction Monday for the Vols to land the 6-foot-5, 299-pound Thomas, who's ranked the No. 100 overall prospect and No. 9 defensive tackle in the 2020 class, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
Thomas told GoVols247 that he plans to choose between Tennessee, Auburn and Texas A&M. He went to Texas A&M and Tennessee last month on his first two official visits, and he's scheduled to take an official visit to Auburn this weekend to attend the Tigers' showdown with in-state rival Alabama.
He said the trip to Auburn is the only visit he currently has scheduled leading up to his scheduled announcement.
His group of finalists is noteworthy because it doesn't include Ole Miss, where his teammate and close friend, three-star all-purpose back
Jabari Small, has been committed since late July. The Rebels have been widely viewed for months as one of the teams to beat and perhaps Tennessee's main competition for Thomas.
Ole Miss hosted Thomas on an unofficial visit Nov. 16 for its home game against top-ranked LSU. It was the same weekend the Rebels once were scheduled to host him on an official visit, but it now appears Ole Miss won't host him on an official visit before he makes his decision.
Tennessee, meanwhile, has been one of the top contenders for Thomas throughout his recruitment. And sources have continued to indicate that the momentum in his recruitment has shifted toward the Vols over the past couple months."