Landon Thomas is headed to McNeese

Landon Thomas got a late start at football compared to most.
And unlike most, the Patterson High School offensive lineman will be getting the opportunity to continue his football career past high school as Thomas signed with McNeese State University in Lake Charles on Wednesday.
“It’s a great honor to be able to go further than high school football, and I just like to thank everyone for supporting me,” Thomas said. “I know I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the love and support of my family, friends, teammates or even the community or the teachers, principals, coaches.”
Thomas, who stands at 6-feet, 5-inches and weighs 310 pounds, said he began playing football his junior season, not at the encouragement of Coach Tommy Minton, but rather at the encouragement of others who said he needed to play because of his size.
“I never played before then, and everybody’s shocked to see … how fast I’ve learned, how quick I’ve caught on to playing football,” he said.
Minton said Thomas “has tremendous upside in football. … He’s a great student, and it’s good to see him come in, learn the game like he has and be able to go to the next level and get a free education because of it.”
Thomas, who said he also had offers from Nicholls and Northwestern State, said he likes McNeese because everyone there is a family.
During his senior season, Thomas earned first-team All-District 9-3A honors on the offensive line and Class 3A Coaches All-State honorable mention honors.
He is part of a McNeese State class that includes 22 signees. Of those, three are transfers. The class includes 12 on defense, nine on offense and a kicker.
Thomas is one of three offensive linemen in the class as he is expected to play left tackle.
“They say I have a great size and people say they know what I could be, and I’m just going to work my hardest to try to be where I can be,” Thomas said.