Matthew Thomas commits to Florida State over Miami

The top uncommitted linebacker in the nation, Matthew Thomas, made his decision Wednesday, choosing the Florida State Seminoles.

Thomas, considered the No. 2 outside linebacker in the country behind Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith, had left his recruiting open late in the process. Before his senior year, he considered Florida State the leader. After he won a state championship with Booker T. Washington High School, he had slightly changed his priorities: although the Seminoles were still near the top of his list, he also wanted to plan visits to Georgia, Alabama, and his hometown team of Miami. Seminoles blog Tomahawk Nation saw the consensus five-star as the key to a “Bobby Bowden-esque” close to the school’s recruiting class.

Thomas is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, with a rare combination of power and athleticism. For an example of how explosive he is, check out this vicious hit he had on Michigan QB commit Shane Morris in the Under Armour All-American game, a game in which he also recorded an interception:

When James Coley left FSU for Miami, SB Nation wrote this about the Canes’ chances of swaying Thomas:

Matthew Thomas, one of the best outside linebacker recruits nationally, out of Booker T. Washington High School. Thomas is scheduled to visit Florida State Friday, and is also strongly considering Miami (as well as Alabama and Georgia). There’s a strong chance that Coley could sway Thomas, along with teammate Denver Kirkland, a four-star guard, and keep them home in South Florida.

Look through SB Nation’s many excellent college football blogs to find your team’s community.