Rivals100 Tackle Andrew Thomas Talks Notre Dame, Academics

Notre Dame thinks that Atlanta Pace Academy offensive tackle Andrew Thomas could be a fit in South Bend. At least that's what the Rivals100 prospect says the Irish are telling him.

Saturday, at the Rivals Camp Series Presented by Under Armour stop in Atlanta, Thomas recapped his recent Junior Day visit to Notre Dame with Rivals.com's Mike Farrell and hinted that the Irish are one of his top schools.

"I went to Notre Dame about two weeks ago and I talked to [Harry Hiestand], the o-line coach. We watched practice and I enjoyed it. They have a good mix of academics and athletics," Thomas said. "They just said that I kind of like fit the program because the school I go to now Pace Academy is kind of like Notre Dame. It's a small, high academic school with good athletics."

Thomas, who is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 10 offensive tackle in the country and the nation's No. 67 overall prospect, doesn't have a set list of leaders but he named Clemson and Georgia as the two schools that standout the most at this point in his recruitment.

"They are both really close to home. I have a good relationship with both of the coaching staffs and they both want me to play early. Plus they have good academic programs," Thomas said.

While that might not sound promising for the Irish, Thomas has said in the past that he plans to take an official visit to Notre Dame.

The Irish are expected to take five offensive linemen this cycle and have two committed in Rivals100 tackle Josh Lugg and three-star guard Dillan Gibbons. Notre Dame hosted Jackson (Tenn.) University School four-star tackle Trey Smith for a visit on Saturday and he, like Thomas, is also considering Clemson.