Penn State is adding some versatility to its 2025 class as a four-star product from New Jersey Braswell Thomas committed to the Nittany Lions.
Thomas is currently listed by Rivals as a wide receiver, but the Nittany Lions are recruiting him as an “athlete” who could also potentially play on the defensive side of the ball as a safety.
He was in Happy Valley for his official visit this weekend and made the decision to commit to PSU.
The Pleasantville High School (Pleasantville, New Jersey) student-athlete is currently the No. 11 player in the Garden State and the No. 60 wide receiver in the 2025 class.
While his exact position is to be determined, at Penn State, Thomas will play under the head coach Jaime Franklindefensive coordinator/linebackers coach Tom Allenco-defensive coordinator/security coach Anthony Poindexteroffensive coordinator Andy Kotelnickiwide receivers coach/offensive recruiting coordinator Marques Hagans and the rest of the team.
BREAKING: CO/25 4 ATH Braswell Thomas ( @Braswell1Thomas ) committed to Penn State.
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Braswell is a 6’2 DB/WR (190 LBS) from Pleasantville, NJ. Braswell totaled more than 15 high school offers but ultimately chose Penn State over Nebraska and Syracuse.
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Welcome… pic.twitter.com/aenloWHY4t– Steezo (@SteezoDsgn) June 23, 2024
Thomas received additional scholarship offers from Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia Technology, West Virginia and others.
He took an official visit to see the Mountaineers in Morgantown on June 7. However, after taking his official visit to Penn State this past weekend, Thomas knew he wanted to become a Nittany Lion.
The 6-foot-5, 185-pound Thomas played both wide receiver and defensive back in high school. His ability to adjust to the ball, his body control and his tendency to make plays on contested balls as a wide receiver or force turnovers and pass breakups as a defensive back are things that stand out. He is more than willing to support the run and also make strong attacks defensively.
Thomas also showed improvement in his speed, running a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash at Penn State camp earlier this month. The camp’s strong overall performance impressed the PSU coaching staff and led him to get the official visit scheduled for the weekend of June 21.
In March, it was announced that Braswell will transfer from Lower Cape May Regional High School to Pleasantville High School for his senior season.
Pleasantville head coach Malaquias Timberlake noted that Thomas’s competitiveness and work ethic are characteristics that set him apart.
“I think the first thing you notice about Braswell is how much of a competitor he really is,” Timberlake said of Thomas. “His determination and motivation to compete at a high level are through the roof. He is his biggest competitor, he wants to compete with himself mentally and be perfect in everything he does.”
Timberlake also praised Braswell’s behavior and family.
“As a person, he’s a kid with a big heart and he carries himself with a lot of gratitude and I think that’s because of his upbringing,” Timberlake said.
With Braswell now in the fold, Penn State’s Class of 2025 currently has 17 total commits in the cycle. The Nittany Lions are in the top 10 in the national team ranking.
If Braswell plays on the defensive side of the ball, he would be the fifth prospect in the group projected to play defense for the Nittany Lions in the Class of 2025, and the second recruit expected to play safety, joining three-star Antonio Filial Jr.. If Braswell plays wide receiver at the college level, he would be the second wideout in Penn State’s current cycle, along with three stars Lyrick Samuel.
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