LAWRENCE THOMAS
LB 6-4 245 Detroit, Mich.
Renaissance High School Coach Antonio Watts
Primary Recruiter: Pat Narduzzi
Thomas Highlights
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Rivals.com, SuperPrep, PrepStar and MaxPreps All-American . . . participated in the 2011 Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Fla. . . . ranked among the nation's top prospects by PrepStar (No. 15), MaxPreps (No. 21), Sporting News (No. 26), 247Sports.com (No. 28), SuperPrep (No. 30), Rivals.com (No. 55) and ESPNU 150 (No. 150) . . . selected SuperPrep's Midwest Defensive Player of the Year and rated the region's No. 2 prospect overall . . . listed among the country's top linebackers by SuperPrep (No. 3) and CollegeFootballNews.com (No. 8) . . . ranked among the nation's top inside linebackers by MaxPreps (No. 1), Rivals.com (No. 5) and Scouts, Inc. (No. 8) . . . named high school finalist for the 2010 Butkus Award . . . rated among the country's top defensive ends by 247Sports.com (No. 3 weakside) and Scout.com (No. 7) . . . ranked the state's No. 1 senior by The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com . . . three-year starter for Coach Antonio Watts at Renaissance High School in Detroit, Mich. . . . recorded 85 tackles as a senior, with 28 resulting in losses including nine sacks, and forced four fumbles . . . also saw action at tight end, wide receiver and running back in addition to handling the team's punting chores . . . posted 97 tackles as a junior, with 26 for losses including eight sacks, and three interceptions . . . produced a career-best 19 tackles, including seven for losses, and an interception vs. Detroit Cody . . . hit a career-long 76-yard punt vs. Mumford in 2009 . . . former high school teammate of current Spartans Chris Norman, Dana Dixon and Mylan Hicks . . . son of Kia Thomas and Willis Lawrence . . . born April 16, 1993 . . . nicknamed "L.T." . . . undecided major.
DANTONIO ON THOMAS:
"Lawrence Thomas is one of the most highly touted players in the nation. He is very explosive, tough and plays multiple positions. We saw him play in 2010. He plays linebacker, tight end and has played defensive end. Lawrence is a big body, thumper-type linebacker. He is a downhill type guy who we can build a defense around. He is an outstanding player, and most importantly is an outstanding person with a very bright future ahead of him at MSU."