Thanks for posting this. I don’t know why the OP posted about BTJ not getting respect this year because I have have read numerous local and national articles praising this young Tiger’s performance. I guess it’s the same thing as all of these Tiger fans that get all discombobulated whenever a great Tiger isn’t anointed the greatest thing since sliced bread the moment they start showing out.

Thomas is getting his just due and will continue to do so if he keeps his production up to these levels.

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Posted by mmcgrath

Indianapolis

Member since Feb 2010

35708 posts

Posted on 10/24/23 at 8:13 pm to DannyEtlingsBurner

Daniels is never mentioned in the same sentence as "Heisman" without BTJ. Is that enough respect?

BTW, he is at worst an early 2nd rounder.

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Posted by RBWilliams8

Member since Oct 2009

53427 posts

Posted on 10/24/23 at 8:25 pm to DannyEtlingsBurner

Odell was talked about more than Landry.
Chase was talked about more than Jefferson.
Nabers over Brian Thomas.

All 3 of the latter are my favorites. All of them got paid in the NFL.

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Posted by KamaCausey_LSU

Member since Apr 2013

15185 posts

Posted on 10/25/23 at 12:58 pm to DannyEtlingsBurner

The more I look at it, the more I think that Brian Thomas Jr is pushing for a 1st round draft spot. He showed off his speed with the 86 yarder vs Army, he's shown off his hands and body control with all of those fade routes that he's caught this year. Throw in his height at 6'4" and adequate size, 205 lbs, and you have an extremely well rounded receiver that could be an immediate impact player.

Finally getting some love from ESPN.

quote:
Best No. 2 receiver
Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

LSU knew it had a nationally elite wideout in Malik Nabers, but it needed others to help grow the passing offense behind quarterback Jayden Daniels. Thomas had started 15 games, including nine as a true freshman in 2021, and showed production with 720 yards and seven touchdowns. But this fall he has emerged as one of the SEC's best wide receivers alongside Nabers, with 42 receptions, 732 yards and 11 touchdown catches, which leads the nation.

Brian Thomas Jr. has emerged as one of the best receivers in the SEC with 42 receptions for 732 yards and 11 touchdowns. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Thomas has been excellent one-on-one, making 60% of contested catches, and he has 16 receptions against man coverage, tied for seventh nationally.

"He'll go up and get it," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "He's got long speed. He's more raw than Nabers, he needed to be developed, but naturally his ceiling is so high."

Thomas always had the physical tools to be great, but LSU's staff wanted to see better preparation and practice habits, which have emerged this year. The team has worked to isolate Thomas because, as a source noted, "You can't cover Brian one-on-one. He'll outjump you, he'll outrun you."

After LSU lost Kayshon Boutte and Jaray Jenkins to the NFL, Thomas sensed his opportunities would increase alongside Nabers, who has 56 receptions for 981 yards this season.

"We play off each other well," Thomas told me. "If teams try to bracket him, then it leaves me one-on-one. If teams try to bracket me, it leaves him with a mismatch. It depends on where we line up."

Thomas has thrived on fade routes from the slot position, consistently beating his defender. Growing up just east of Baton Rouge, Thomas is well aware of LSU's wide receiver history and loved watching Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and others. He said his game is most similar to that of Ja'Marr Chase, the Biletnikoff Award winner in 2019, who also won most of his matchups in man coverage.

"I always want more, I always feel I can do a little bit better," Thomas said. "I feel like I've gotten off to a great start. I just want to keep going as the season progresses, making the most of my opportunities."