Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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58 MARCH 2024 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2024 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY KYLE KELLY I n some ways, Notre Dame defensive lineman Loghan Thomas' college enrollment occurred five months before he arrived in South Bend. No, Thomas did not actually begin college in August 2022. However, his transition from Katy (Texas) Paetow High to Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward felt like it. Thomas, a four-star recruit who finished the 2024 cycle as On3's No. 243 overall player and No. 27 edge rusher, switched high schools just before his se- nior year. When his family received a job opportunity to return to their northeast Ohio roots, Thomas, who esti- mated he lived in the Buck- eye State until he was 4, faced a decision similar to the outcome of his college commitment: Remain in Texas or move over 1,100 miles from home for a new challenge. He chose the latter. Previously, the 6-foot- 4, 19 6 - p o u n d T h o m a s verbally committed to the Irish on May 24 over offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and 21 other programs. His Midwestern football career began about three months later. Not only did Thomas' move to Ohio keep him close to family, but it also allowed him to compete in practice against a college-ready offensive line, attend a college preparatory school and grow in his faith. Each one of those as- pects better prepared him for his Janu- ary enrollment at Notre Dame. "It helped me be the best I can be in practice, ultimately making the games much easier," Thomas told reporters on Feb. 9. "Transferring your senior year is never easy, but being close to your fam- ily and going to a school that pushed me closer to my faith was all worth it." It paid off for the St. Edward Eagles, too. Thomas, On3's No. 10 senior pros- pect in Ohio, was a pillar of the pro- gram's state-champion defense. He fin- ished 2023 with 129 tackles, 15 for loss and 9.5 sacks in 15 games. It will probably be a year or two before Thomas has the chance to impact the Irish defense in a similar capacity. He is about 30 pounds away from being able to play game snaps. Still, the initial similarities between St. Edward and Notre Dame are striking. The Irish can hope that eventually pays off for their defense. "The biggest similarity is the people," he said. "Everybody is about building true, meaningful relationships with you and not just wanting to be your friend because of who you are." ✦ A family move brought four-star edge Loghan Thomas from Katy (Texas) Paetow High to Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edwards for his senior year of high school. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY LOGHAN THOMAS DEFENSIVE END 6-4 ∙ 196 ST. EDWARD H.S. (OHIO) KATY, TEXAS RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 243 27 10 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 239 31 10 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 196 10 8 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 221 19 9 STATISTICS • Recorded 129 stops (28 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 31 QB hurries, 15 QB hits, 5 passes broken up, 5 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery in 15 games as a senior, while helping Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward to the Division I state champi- onship. • Notched 31 tackles (15 solo), 4 stops for loss, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery in 7 games for Katy (Texas) Paetow as a junior. • Compiled 43 stops (32 solo), 16 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and 1 pass broken up in 16 games as a sophomore at Paetow. NOTABLE • Tabbed as a second-team All-American by Max- Preps in 2023. • Named first-team All-Ohio and first-team All- Northeast Lakes District in 2023. • Received 2023 All-American Bowl National Combine MVP honors. • Transferred to Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward for his senior season. • Earned a spot on the All-Texas District 19-6A team in 2022. • Tabbed as the Texas All-Texas District 19-6A Newcomer of the Year and helped Katy (Texas) Paetow win 5A state championship in 2021. • His, father, Jayson, played football at Youngstown State. RECRUITMENT • Committed to the Fighting Irish on May 24, 2023. • Enrolled at Notre Dame in January. • Also held offers from Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Southern California and Texas. • Recruited by defensive line coach Al Wash- ington. • Visited Notre Dame five times, including his official visit June 9, 2023. 2024 PROJECTION • Expected to be a redshirt candidate while he focuses on adding weight to be a routinely effec- tive college defensive lineman. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power: "Loghan Thomas is one of the top speed rushers in the 2024 cycle. His game starts with speed. That's the area where he differentiates himself. He's a guy who plays fast on the field. And he backs it up anytime he runs in a neutral setting, whether at a camp or on the track. "He just brings an infusion of athleticism and play speed to Notre Dame's defense. He's a guy who you can move around. He is best when you allow him to get after the quarterback as a pass rusher. He is a high level athlete that Notre Dame can use in that pass-rushing role and gives [head coach] Marcus Freeman, [defensive coordinator] Al Golden and the staff a defined skill set that you can bring in even maybe early. "If he gets big enough to play, I can see him coming in at least in the designated pass rush role, maybe early in his career at Notre Dame, before he really becomes an every-down player." Edge Rusher Loghan Thomas Is Anchored By Family And Faith