Nation's #1 prospect releases statement about his recruitment

Tony Crumpton by Assoc. Editor -

Xavier Thomas Defensive End TigerNet: (5.00) (5.00)

Height: 6-3 Weight: 260 Hometown: Bradenton, FL (IMG Academy HS) Class: 2018 ESPN:

#4 Overall, #2 DE, #1 FL #4 Overall, #2 DE, #1 FL Rivals:

#5 Overall, #1 DE, #1 FL #5 Overall, #1 DE, #1 FL 24/7:

#4 Overall, #1 SDE, #1 FL #4 Overall, #1 SDE, #1 FL 6-3260Bradenton, FL (IMG Academy HS)2018

5-star 2018 defensive end Xavier Thomas, the No. 1 overall player for the 2018 recruiting cycle, is also an early enrollee and will enroll at either Clemson or South Carolina - his final two choices - in January.

Some diehard fans that really enjoy following recruiting from both in-state schools think that Thomas already has his mind made up on whether to be a Tiger or Gamecock. However, he says this is not true and please be understanding on this important decision for his future.

“Fans are crazy. This is for me and any other recruits who deal with this," Thomas shared on Twitter. "But with me, fans supposedly think I’m playing some sort of game for hype with my recruitment. If I was ready to commit to a school and knew where I wanted to go to spend the next 3-4 years of my life then I would have committed already. I am evaluating my options to make the best decision for myself and my future, which is why I am waiting until December 20 to make my decision, so I can continue evaluating my options with my parents and family before I graduate in December — to choose what is best for ME.”

In the last week, Thomas has taken unofficial visits to Clemson and South Carolina.

Thomas has national offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, South Carolina, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, and Wake Forest.