LSU football was forced to navigate life without two key defenders. In Week 3, STAR DaShawn Spears tore his ACL and was ruled out for the year. A week later, linebacker Whit Weeks suffered an injury that will keep him sidelined through October.
Spears and Weeks are both impact players. All-SEC-caliber difference makers who aren't easy to replace. Spears played the STAR position, meaning he played safety, slot corner, and linebacker. LSU would even line him up on the edge.
LSU doesn't have another player like Spears on the roster. LSU was forced to shuffle the lineup, moving Ty Benefield to the STAR position, sending Jhase Thomas on the field to take Benefield's safety spot. Thomas was inexperienced, but excited LSU coaches throughout fall camp.
This stretch marks his first period seeing real playing time.
So far, the results have been mixed. There's a lot to like. Thomas' 74.4 PFF defensive grade ranks 10th among SEC safeties with 150+ snaps. His coverage grade of 75.7 is in the 86th percentile among FBS safeties, and his run stop rate is in the 82nd percentile.
There have been some growing pains, too. Thomas has allowed a 152.1 passer rating when targeted, one of the worst marks in the FBS. And Thomas still has occasional mishaps when he fits the run as he gets used to playing in the box.
All things considered, LSU has to be pleased with the four-star defender. Thomas was thrust into a new role in the middle of SEC play and has played competently. With Spears out for the year, Thomas should finish the year as a starter and remain one in 2027.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football safety Jhase Thomas emerging in LSU secondary
