One of the premier prospects in the Northeast has narrowed down his selection of top schools to five.
A four-star wide receiver from Barnegat (N.J.) Donovan Catholic, Thomas, disclosed to On3’s Chad Simmons his final list, which includes Rutgers, Penn State, , , and .
Thomas, ranked as the No. 137 overall prospect and the No. 19 wide receiver in the 2025 recruitment class by the , is also recognized as the third top player in New Jersey.
Among the five remaining programs vying for the attention of this 5-foot-10, 185-pound athlete, Rutgers and Penn State have been actively involved in Thomas’ recruitment process. He has visited Rutgers and Syracuse for Junior Day events in 2024.
Insight into Thomas’ Interest in Penn State
Thomas shared his enthusiasm for the Nittany Lions and their coaching staff, particularly highlighting his interactions with Coach [Taylor] Stubblefield and other members of the recruiting team. He expressed his positive rapport with Coach Ahmad, emphasizing the valuable advice and support he has received.
Penn State boasts the highest-ranked 2025 recruiting class among the contenders, currently comprising 11 commitments. A commitment from Thomas would elevate him to the second-highest ranked recruit in the class.
Syracuse and Rutgers in the Race for Thomas
Syracuse, under the leadership of former Georgia defensive backs coach , is aiming to enhance its 2025 recruiting class by pursuing top talents like Thomas. His addition would bolster the team’s efforts to progress in the recruitment cycle.
On the other hand, Rutgers is showing promising signs in their pursuit of the four-star prospect, as indicated by recent trends. Coach and his staff have already secured commitments from New Jersey prospects, including Hillside three-star linebacker and Matawan Regional three-star offensive tackle .