Sometimes moms hold all the cards. And, this recruiting season, one mom gave Jimbo Fisher (pictured) a major boost and Lane Kiffin another kick in the gut.
Although I did not rate Matthew Thomas, a linebacker from Florida, particularly highly and left him off the Breitbart25, every other major service ranked Thomas as a must-get five star, making him a valuable recruit even if only from a PR perspective.
As such, Thomas’ decision to sign with Florida State on Signing Day was a major boost for the Seminoles who had several de-commitments and staff losses leading up to February 6th. However, the last minute additions of Thomas and Breitbart Sports’ #5 recruit, Jalen Ramsey, allowed Jimbo Fisher and co. to surge into the top ten and enter 2013 with positive momentum.
Ramsey officially flipped his commitment from USC on National Signing Day.
However, it has recently been reported that Thomas intended to be a USC Trojan until his mother made it clear that she would not sign the National Letter of Intent for her son to play in Southern California. The rangy linebacker then elected to stay close to home and chose the Seminoles causing Lane Kiffin to lose out on yet another prized athlete.
As a seventeen year old, Thomas was required to have a parent sign his National Letter of Intent.
This was certainly not the most public, nor the most dramatic maternal influence this recruiting season. We previously reported the plight of running back Alex Collins, also from Florida, whose mother ran off with his papers before he could send them into the University of Arkansas. Collins was able to sign in the following days.
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