A year ago, Jhase Thomas was barely seeing the field for LSU. Now, the former Destrehan standout has become an important piece of one of the nation’s top defenses.
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Thomas played just one defensive snap as a freshman last season. But after the season-ending injury to safety Dashawn Spears, Thomas has stepped into a starting role and is being counted on to help keep LSU’s defense among the best in the country.
Thomas played 55 snaps in LSU’s 35-6 win over Texas A&M last Saturday, finishing with four tackles and a pass breakup.
His emergence actually began during preseason camp, when Thomas was seen working with the first-team defense. That caught some people by surprise, with Tamarcus Cooley and Ty Benefield seemingly positioned to start at safety.
Instead, Thomas continued to develop and leaned heavily on the experience of Cooley and Benefield, who have combined to play 79 college games.
“Having a guy like (Benefield) and Tamarcus Cooley in the same room, I can ask a lot of questions,” Thomas said. “Sometimes you don’t always have to go to the coaches and ask questions. It’s good to ask people that have been there, done that, have a lot of experience, played in a lot of games, played in a lot of big games for someone that hasn’t played in a lot of big games. Taking advice from them means a lot to me.”
Thomas has also spent time learning from injured linebacker Whit Weeks, who has been a leader on LSU’s defense before suffering a broken leg against Texas A&M.
Thomas said he has picked Weeks’ brain about everything from preparation to film study.
“What does he think? What does he do to process certain things? How does he prepare?” Thomas said. “Same thing for Ty Benefield, same thing for Tamarcus Cooley. I ask those guys how they prepare, how they watch film, what are you looking for, just so I can get myself prepared.”
Thomas has also had a mentor at home who knows plenty about playing defensive back at the highest level.
His father, Fred Thomas, played 12 seasons in the NFL, including eight with the New Orleans Saints.
The elder Thomas has offered his son plenty of advice, but Jhase said his father’s biggest message has been to stay relaxed and trust the work he has put in.
“He does correct me at times on certain things, but for now it’s just letting me be,” Thomas said. “Only he really says, ‘Don’t let the moment be too big. It’s just like backyard football when you were young. Go out there and play ball. Don’t think too much, don’t think too hard and just play the game you’ve played your whole life.’”
For Thomas, the transition from watching to playing has happened in a hurry. Now comes the next challenge: proving he belongs as a key part of LSU’s defense.
