Alfred Thomas
Jeff Davis's Zarron Haney runs the ball away from Sidney Lanier's Alfred Thomas during a high school football game Thursday Sept. 22, 2016, at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com) ORG XMIT: ALBIN
(JULIE BENNETT)
Fifteen college football programs have extended scholarship offers to Alfred Thomas, but there's at least one he's school he's still holding out hope for.
The defensive lineman at Sidney Lanier in Montgomery said it would "mean a lot" if Auburn offered.
"I've been wanting this offer since the ninth grade and it'd be great if I could get it," Thomas said earlier this month after his visit to Auburn for Junior Day. "They told me to come to a camp and come to A-Day again and see how it pans out."
The 6-foot-2, 260-pounder has been to the Plains several times and was initially recruited by former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. He has since been building a relationship with Muschamp's replacement, Kevin Steele. Thomas also saw some of Auburn's first spring practice in pads during his trip.
"They said they want to stop the run and be the top in defense," Thomas said. "You can't be top without a defensive line.
"I think (Steele's) a good coach. I want him to be my coach because he's real cool."
Thomas is currently ranked as a four-star prospect and the nation's No. 24 defensive tackle by the 247Sports Composite. He is versatile enough to play on the inside or outside, though that will depend on how much his body changes by this time next year.
"I might have to lose weight to play end," he said. "Whatever it takes to be at Auburn."
"They're the top. They've been the top for a long time. I love Auburn."
Thomas plans on returning to Auburn this spring. As the Tigers determine whether they want to offer him, an SEC rival has been making strides for his commitment. Thomas says Georgia is recruiting him harder than any school right now.
"Georgia's been standing out," he said. "I talk to them momentarily sometimes. I'm going to start forming a relationship with them."
Thomas also holds offers from Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Carolina, Ole Miss and Tennessee, among others.
Auburn signed three defensive linemen in the 2017 recruiting cycle -- end Markaviest Bryant and tackles Tyrone Truesdell and Alec Jackson. The Tigers currently have one defensive linemen committed to the 2018 class -- Daquan Newkirk of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Check out Thomas' junior highlights in the Hudl video below.