Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star linebacker Charles Thomas felt welcomed during his visit to Clemson on Saturday for the Tigers’ game against N.C. State.
Thomas, a top-100 player in the 2019 class according to 247Sports, recently spoke with The Clemson Insider about his visit.
“I liked it a lot,” Thomas said. “I enjoyed the fans and the family feel that I received from the staff.”
Thomas said the family atmosphere around the program stuck out to him.
“I love the energy that the team had in the locker room,” he added. “I can tell that Clemson is truly a family.”
Clemson outlasted N.C. State in a 24-17 overtime victory, and Thomas liked what he saw.
“It was an awesome game,” Thomas said. “I was extremely impressed with what I saw.”
Clemson offered Thomas on June 1. He also has offers from Auburn, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, Toledo, Tulane and West Virginia.
Thomas first visited Clemson in April for the annual Orange and White spring game. He also made the trip to Clemson in August with a group of 2019 prospects from Georgia.
Thomas said he has built a good relationship with Clemson’s coaching staff.
“I love the coaches,” Thomas said. “I’m only a sophomore, so I’m sure our relationship will grow even stronger as the years go by.”
What does Thomas like about defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Venables?
“Wow. Coach V is as intense as they get,” Thomas said. “He is a defensive guru, and I love his passion.”
Thomas plans to get back to Clemson this season for either the Syracuse game on Nov. 5 or the South Carolina game on Nov. 26.
The 6-foot, 215-pounder has seen Tennessee and North Carolina play this season, as well. He attended North Carolina’s season opener against Georgia in the Georgia Dome, so he intends to visit North Carolina in Chapel Hill at some point this year.
As a freshman in 2015, Thomas recorded 102 tackles, including 61 solo tackles, and five tackles.
He has posted 84 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception in eight games this season.