TAMPA, Fla. -- The nation’s top-rated linebacker, Matthew Thomas (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington), was among the 60-plus prospects in attendance Saturday at Raymond James Stadium to watch USF host Florida State.
Thomas went to the game with four-star offensive lineman Denver Kirkland (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington), who is being recruited by both programs.
“I looked at it as an opportunity to watch both teams and check out the atmosphere,” Thomas said. “There were a lot of people there, so it was pretty exciting.”
It was Thomas’ first shot to see the Seminoles in person. He will likely see them again next month when FSU travels to Miami. The ESPN 150 linebacker is considering Miami, Florida State and Alabama.
“I’m going to check out the Miami-FSU game and that’s about it right now,” he said. “I’m just going to see what happens after that.”
Meanwhile, Kirkland was also on an unofficial to Tampa and there’s a good chance he’ll be back again before signing day to take an official on the USF campus. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound senior has another official planned for next week.
“I’m going to be taking a trip to Ole Miss,” Kirkland said. “It’s my first official visit of the season. They have been recruiting me pretty hard and I heard it’s a nice place. The coaching staff is cool and they have been telling me that they need me and players like me to build something strong in the SEC.
Kirkland is also looking at Miami, Florida State, Louisville, UCF, West Virginia and several other programs.