Lexington, Mississippi – Holmes County Central 4-Star Safety Cortez Thomas He has been a top contender for Mississippi State since Jeff Levy and his staff took over.
The popular defensive back also has Ole Miss, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Baylor among his top picks, but the Bulldogs are the team to watch this weekend in the On3 Recruiting Projection Machine (RPM).
According to RPM, following the expert nomination by Kentucky insider Adam Luckett (following a nomination by Mississippi State insider Paul Jones this spring), Michigan State has a better than 90% chance of securing his pick.
Since Levy took over as head coach at Mississippi State, the Bulldogs head coach has already been impressed with the four-star recruit.
“Coach Levy is definitely a cool guy,” Thomas previously told On3’s Chad Simmons. “Having him on the team is going to make a difference.”
The coaching staff has made Thomas a priority.
Thomas’ main recruiter in Starkville is the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Matt Barnes Cornerbacks Coach Corey BellThe Bulldogs had several coaches in town to watch Thomas during spring practice, and they continue to be impressed with him.
“Coach (Corey) Bell and defensive coordinator coach (Coleman) Hutzler came to watch me in spring practice,” Thomas told MaroonAndWhite.com. “They wanted to see me in practice and see how I play and how I interact with my teammates. I’m getting on really well with the new staff. They’ve shown me love and support as always.”
Thomas has already taken official visits to Texas A&M, Kentucky and Mississippi, with a trip to Starkville scheduled for next weekend.
Thomas said he may make a college decision later this summer once his official visits are over, but for now, he doesn’t have any preconceived ideas about where he will attend.
“I’m hoping to make a decision before the season starts,” he said. “That’s still on the plan, which will be mid- or late-August. I’m keeping an open mind to everybody and just keeping an open mind and considering my options.”
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Thomas is the No. 266 overall prospect in the class of 2025, according to the On3 industry rankings, a weighted average using all four major recruiting media companies. He is ranked as the No. 25 safety in the country and the No. 10 recruit in the state of Mississippi.
