Alabama and LSU's Battle for 4-Star LB Adonis Thomas

While most rivalries are formed through epic battles on the field, with SEC West titans Alabama and LSU, their wars on the recruiting trail precede those monumental clashes on the gridiron.

As Nick Saban and Les Miles prepare to meet for the ninth time, there will be several recruits, who are interested in both programs, that will be paying close attention Saturday night to the battle between both programs at Tiger Stadium. 

One such recruit is 4-star linebacker Adonis Thomas, who has both Alabama and LSU as two of his primary suitors after he decommitted from Florida last month. 

The 6’4”, 229-pound Thomas, who is ranked as the No. 11 outside linebacker in the 2015 class, is a player that both teams have high on their priority list.

With both teams having a bye last week, coaches from both schools were in attendance Oct. 31 at Thomas’ last game, according to Shea Dixon of Geaux247 (subscription required).

Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is leading the charge for Alabama, and he's laid the groundwork in getting Thomas to schedule multiple visits to Tuscaloosa over the course of November.

Thomas spoke with Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports (via Charles Power of BamaOnline, subscription required), and he is tentatively scheduled to be in attendance when the Tide plays Mississippi State and Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium later this month: "I think Alabama puts their players in the best position. They’re always looking for a way to win. At that point, all you want is to win. I want to win a national championship in college. Alabama is more stable than it is at Florida right now." 

The Tigers are squarely in the mix to land Thomas because of their due diligence in pursuing him even after his initial commitment to Florida. Power notes that their efforts are likely to be rewarded with an official visit from one of the best prospects in the Peach State.

"I’m taking my official down there December 5, I think," Thomas mentioned to Niebuhr. “After I committed to Florida, they never stopped recruiting me. They always hit me up and told me I was an important part. I feel like I’m a priority to them." 

Another thing in LSU’s favor is the fact that it has yet to receive a commitment from a linebacker in the 2015 class. By contrast, Alabama has two linebackers committed in its top-rated class.

Thomas also notes that Florida is still in the mix, despite the decision to reopen his recruitment:

However, given the new window of opportunity provided to Alabama and LSU—two perennial powerhouses in recruiting—the odds are likely in favor of him ending up in either Tuscaloosa or Baton Rouge instead of Gainesville.

Saban and Miles have gone toe-to-toe for several high-profile recruits, and regardless of the result on the field Saturday, Thomas represents the next and perhaps most important battle the two will wage until national signing day.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.