Breakthrough season coming for Florida 2025 DT Eric Thomas
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Already blessed with prototypical size in the interior defensive trenches with the strength to play the positions, Eric “EJ” Thomas is a force ready to take the 2023 Florida high school football season by storm. The 6-5, 305-pound, tackle and nose guard spent his sophomore campaign fighting through double and triple teams with Lehigh and will keep up the productivity this fall with East Lee County, all with college programs watching.
The Jaguars open their season on Aug. 25 welcoming Mariner. Preparing for the challenges ahead, Thomas shared his offseason workouts.
“I’ve been working on my pass rush moves,” Thomas said. “Last year I was at nose guard; I was not getting the sacks. I am trying to perfect my pass rush to make it as strong as my run stop.”
Thomas has been working on all the moves, “Club, rush, swim, I’ve been messing with the swim, stutter-bull, and perfecting the spin. I have been working on a lot of moves. I go on TikTok looking.”
Asked which next level players he watches, Thomas replied, “Aaron Donald (Rams) videos if I do watch. I don’t base my game on anyone.”
The extra work put into developing his game is already showing improvements.
“My pass rush has improved,” Thomas said. “Today in one-on-ones, my hands got faster, and I was winning more reps. My footwork and my get-off have improved. I am lower and more explosive out of my stance.”
To receive extra instruction on his position, and to get in front of next level scouts, Thomas camped at Florida International, Miami, and South Florida over the summer.
Details from the Hurricanes’ camp were covered, “It went great. I just got contacted by them today. They talked to me for a little bit, they said they were watching, and they contacted me today. I know they noticed me.”
Offers have been dropped by Alabama A&M, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, and Ole Miss. Some new interest is building ahead of Thomas’ junior year.
“Duke, Pitt, Miami, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Miami-Ohio have been reaching out,” Thomas shared.
As time allows, Thomas is ready to take in some Wildcat games this fall.
“I am planning on going to some Kentucky games for sure,” Thomas said. “Our relationship has been good. I just got a season pass from them to go see the games.”