But get this: When Nebraska last week received a verbal commitment from Jahkeem Green of Highland (Kansas) Community College, the defensive line competition became that much stiffer. After all, the 6-4, 300-pound Green in 2018 recorded 67 tackles, including seven for losses, as a sophomore at Highland. He was recruited by several SEC schools.

So it's probably a good thing Thomas no longer weighs in at 265 pounds, as was the case in 2017. He drew frequent praise from former Husker head coach Mike Riley that season while recording 14 tackles in 10 games for a 4-8 squad.

Thomas had arrived on campus as three-star prospect from Mustang, Oklahoma.

“I was 265 playing nose guard at Nebraska! Ooohee!” Thomas recalls with a smile. “That wasn’t big enough. I mean, I think I was holding my own. But being on the line, you can’t be that small. This is the Big Ten. Everybody else across the line averages, what, 310 or 315.”

Tuioti agrees that Thomas' weight and strength gains were essential.