Florida leading Miami in pursuit of 5-star EDGE Antonio Thomas Jr.

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The recruiting battle is heating up for Tampa native, five-star edge rusher Antonio Thomas Jr., and Florida football is firmly in the mix for one of the nation's top defensive prospects.

Thomas is quickly emerging as one of the most coveted prospects in the 2028 recruiting class. According to On3, the Gators have surfaced as a top contender in Thomas' recruitment. Jon Sumrall and the program have established an early presence with the in-state blue-chipper, joining Miami and Auburn as the trio of suitors that are projected to have the best chance at signing the No. 5 recruit in the state of Florida.

As a sophomore, Thomas finished the season with 54 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and 25 tackles for loss. He also forced two fumbles and broke up a pair of passes while also starring at running back. The 6-foot-3-inch, 235-pound Carrollwood Day product rushed for 927 yards on 100 attempts, resulting in 15 touchdowns.

Antonio Thomas Jr.'s recruiting summary

Thomas is slated at No. 15 overall and No. 4 at his position according to 247Sports composite, while On3 industry rankings have him at Nos. 17 and 4, respectively. Thomas has 45 total offers, including 12 SEC programs, among them Georgia, LSU, Alabama and Texas A&M.

On3's recruiting prediction machine gives the Gators (21%) a slight edge over the Hurricanes (19%) for the coveted recruit.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football a prime contender for 5-star EDGE Antonio Thomas Jr.

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