Matthew Thomas: Florida State Is Best Fit for 5-Star Linebacker

While it isn't known where 5-star linebacker Matthew Thomas will go, his best bet is to choose the Florida State Seminoles.

According to 247Sports.com, Thomas is trying to decide between Florida State and Miami, but it's the Seminoles that give him the best chance for success.

The Hurricanes are coming off another disappointing season after finishing 7-5.

Miami also failed to beat any ranked team it faced last season and the Hurricanes defense finished ranked No. 84 in the nation in points allowed per game (30.5).

Florida State had a much different season and is in a better position for the future.

The 'Noles finished the season with a 12-2 record and ranked No. 10 in the nation after an Orange Bowl beatdown of Northern Illinois.

As a linebacker, Thomas would also love the fact that the Seminoles sported one of the best defensive units in the country as evidenced by their No. 6 ranking in points allowed per game (14.7).

To further prove Florida State is the better team, the 'Noles beat the 'Canes in the pair's only meeting this season, 33-20.

No matter where he chooses to go, Thomas will undoubtedly be a major improvement to either program's defense. However, the Hurricanes need him much more than their in-state rivals.

As a member of the Florida State defense, Thomas will have a ton of talent surrounding him and that will take a lot of pressure off the young linebacker's shoulders. Opposing offenses will be more focused on stopping some of the more well-known members of the defense and that will open Thomas up to make more plays relatively untouched.

The addition of Jeremy Pruitt as defensive coordinator is a huge plus. Now the Seminoles have a brilliant defensive mind in Pruitt who was instrumental to the Alabama Crimson Tide's success as the secondary coach.

If he joins Miami, Thomas will be the focal point of every offense with little talent around him and will be easier to neutralize as a result of this extra attention. He may not be ready for that type of situation given the fact that he's still raw.

Florida State is the best choice for Thomas at the moment. Having a ton of talent and defensive prowess around him will speed up the learning process and will go a long way towards making this 5-Star prospect an elite college linebacker.