De'Anthony Thomas Ends Speculation, Commits to Oregon Instead Of USC

De’Anthony Thomas, the No. 1 ranked athlete in the country, has officially committed to Chip Kelly and the defending Pac-10 Champion Oregon Ducks.

The announcement came just minutes ago during a press conference from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles.

Thomas, a longtime USC commitment, shockingly had a sudden change of heart after a visit up to Eugene this past weekend and decided that Oregon was the best fit for his future.

The 5‘9’’ 165 lb. track star, who goes by the nickname Black Mamba, is a dynamic and versatile athlete who could play cornerback, running back or wide receiver for the Ducks and fits in perfectly with Kelly’s “speed kills” philosophy.

Thomas rushed for 1,299 yards, scored 18 touchdowns and intercepted five passes as he led Crenshaw to its second straight City Championship this past season.

The loss of Thomas is a moderate blow to USC, but the Trojans will still come away from Signing Day with a top-five class due to the remarkable recruiting efforts of head coach Lane Kiffin during a time of uncertainty in the land of Troy.

The five-star commitment is a major boost for Oregon’s class which was built on the momentum of this past season’s national championship game appearance. It’s a group that includes other big names such as LB Colt Lyerla and WR Devon Blackmon and ranks as one of the ten best in the country.

Thomas has been praised by every major recruiting service and looks to be loaded with potential. He’ll have to add some bulk to his smallish frame in order to survive on the college level, but his blazing speed is something that certainly sets him apart from the crowd.

There’s no doubt that Chip Kelly came up with a major coup by reeling the highly touted Thomas away from his hometown team.

It should be interesting to see if the coach and his staff can turn Oregon into the new Pac-12 hot spot for the foreseeable future.

At this pace, don't expect the Ducks to slow down anytime soon.