Clemson Football: Xavier Thomas will develop into top-10 pick
Xavier Thomas is set for a big 2020 Clemson football season
Things have not necessarily gone as expected for Clemson football fans in terms of what they thought about Xavier Thomas.
Thomas, who was ranked as the No. 1 player in the nation coming out of high school, was expected to come into the Clemson football program and automatically be the next greatest pass-rusher.
While Thomas had to share time as a freshman behind Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant, he still managed to come away with 3.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, as well as a forced fumble. Clemson football fans loved what they saw out of the talented freshman and expectations were through the roof for him entering his sophomore season.
But things simply didn’t go as planned.
Thomas spent some time injured and he was also in the ‘dog house’ with the coaches for a portion of the season for minor things. In addition, he was also asked to play a different role in a changed 3-3-5 defensive scheme that left everyone wanting more. Thomas finished with just 1.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss, both behind his freshman numbers.
Clemson football fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Thomas explode this season
No matter the reason for the sophomore season, one thing is for sure: Thomas is going to do everything in his power to have the best 2020 possible.
During the spring, he talked about losing weight and getting back that quick explosive step out of his stance that seemed to be lacking at times during 2019.
Thomas is more focused than ever and that should absolutely spell trouble for opposing offenses.
There’s a reason that Thomas was rated a 5-star and we’re going to see it this year. There have been many defensive ends who have their best seasons after a couple of years in the system and Thomas is going to be the exact same.
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Look for him to break some records and become an absolute monster on the edge. He has the talent, skill and focus to be a top-10 pick in the draft and there’s no reason to believe he won’t get the job done this time around.