5* DE, Xavier Thomas, Talks Carolina at The Opening

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Xavier Thomas has pinpointed a timeline for his decision.

After the country’s No. 3 ranked 2018 prospect releases his top four, the defensive end will get down to business.

“I’m planning on releasing my top four at the end of this Opening, (then) I’m planning on taking a couple of more visits, I’m not sure (where) yet. I’m probably going to commit at the end of my junior season,” Thomas told SEC Country’s Corey Masisak at The Opening on Saturday afternoon.

Growing up in Florence, S.C., Thomas pulled for South Carolina.

“I grew up watching Coach Spurrier and I also imagined myself as (Jadeveon) Clowney, being him,” he said. “Now that coach (Will) Muschamp is there, he’s telling me that I’m going to be the face of their program. That’s something that I’ve dreamed of since I was little.”

Defensive line coach Lance Thompson serves as the Gamecocks’ primary recruiter. According to Thomas, they’ve made a connection.

“Just the fact that he talks to me all the time, more than any coach does — we talk on the phone a lot. He’s just a great coach … he talks to me about the academics and everything,” Thomas said.

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