High school football: Lakota West standout announces college decision

Thomas was first-team All-GMC and second-team All-Southwest District when he made 84 tackles, including 14.5 for loss and four sacks for the Firebirds, who tied Princeton for the GMC title while going 11-2 overall.

The 6-foot-1, 204-pound linebacker also had one interception and forced three fumbles last season.

A four-star prospect, Thomas is the top-rated player in the CoxFirst Media coverage area in the class of 2026 per 247Sports Composite rankings.

He is the No. 14 prospect in Ohio and the second four-star Ohio native to verbally commit to Illinois for 2026, joining Toledo Central Catholic cornerback Victor Singleton.

They are set to play for head coach Bret Bielema, who made recruiting Ohio a priority during his time as the head coach at Wisconsin. He signed a pair of Ohioans in the class of 2025, including Lakota West linebacker Grant Beerman.

Thomas has been on college radars for more than a year, and his offer list also includes Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech and Michigan.

Thomas is the second local player to commit from the class of 2026 after Middletown running back/defensive back Jordan Vann gave his pledge to Virginia earlier this week.

The 5-7, 165-pound Vann had 37 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, an interception and a forced fumble last season for the Middies.