The Jeffersons Move On Up

A little over a month ago, LSU had no quarterback commitments for the 2008 class. In the past few weeks, Les Miles and Gary Crowton dove deep into the heart of Texas for an explosive duel-threat QB named Darron Thomas. Then they added a JaMarcus Russell look-a-like D.C. Jefferson from Winter Haven, FL. To top it all off, local star Jordan Jefferson of Destrehan, LA boarded the LSU ship.

Only one problem. Mr. Darron Thomas felt a bit claustrophobic. He decommitted Friday. He will visit Oregon and the Ducks lead for his services.

Its no surprise that Oregon is where Thomas would turn. Thomas is a game-breaker at the quarterback position. The Aldine high (Aldine, TX) prospect can really run. The 6-3, 200 lb athlete has a similar style to that of current - albeit injured - quarterback Dennis Dixon.

Thomas goes from 0-60 as quick as anyone in the nation. His feet are Will Hill-esque. When he decides to take off and run, the defense better be prepared to chase because he will be going full speed in two steps.

As a passer, Thomas is underrated. He has touch. The ability Thomas has to hit the open man down the middle of the field is a refined art. He also does a great job of keeping his eyes down field looking for the open man while scrambling.

Thomas does not possess elite arm-strength though.

Look for Oregon and Florida to be the finalists here. Thomas is a superb athlete and LSU fans will be sorry that he jumped ship. LSU will settle for a pair of very talented Jeffersons. By the way, at 6-foot-6 235 lbs, D.C. Jefferson is also underrated by the recruiting services.

What is interesting about this decommitment is that it had nothing to do with with Les Miles leaving for Michigan. Texas A&M has already seen Markelle Martin jump ship for Oklahoma because of a coaching change. One positive note for LSU fans is that this class has yet to become a group that would be desirably "poachable" by other teams. Now, the coaching issues might negatively impact decisions made by players like Deion Walker, Julio Jones, Arthur Brown and Chris Tolliver, to name a few, but it doesn't look like anyone will come in and steal away players.