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'Trying to be myself': Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. arrives in Jacksonville with confidence
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- 'Trying to be myself': Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. arrives in Jacksonville with confidence
Jacksonville Jaguars first-round selection Brian Thomas Jr. isn't here for the expectations.
There's an obvious lineage of NFL wide receivers from LSU with players like Odell Beckham Jr. , Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase as some of the best to play the position.
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And with Malik Nabers and Thomas joining the ranks yesterday, it's natural for there to be a level of expectancy for them to carry those traditions.
But during his introductory press conference from the Miller Electric Center on Friday afternoon, the No. 23 overall selection shut down the anticipation of him being like those that came before him.
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke, left, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and head coach Doug Pederson field questions during a press conference Friday, April 26, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville Jaguars selected LSU’s wide receiver Thomas Jr. as the 23rd overall pick in last night’s NFL Draft. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Gene Frenette: Jaguars' first-round draft pick Brian Thomas Jr. must have immediate impact
"I'm just trying to be myself. I don't feel like I have to live up to any expectations," he said while flanked by general manager Trent Baalke and Doug Pederson on both sides. "I'm just going to come out there, work hard, do what I can do to the best of my ability."
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The Jaguars selected Thomas to fill the void left by Calvin Ridley , but he's joining a very veteran receiver room. From Christian Kirk , Gabe Davis , Zay Jones and even tight end Evan Engram , there's not a shortage of leadership in the room already.
Thomas will add a dynamic to the room that allows quarterback Trevor Lawrence to open up his downfield game. He led the nation in receiving touchdowns last year with 17 while recording 1,177 yards on 68 receptions from Heisman winner Jayden Daniels .
He was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist and named a third-team All-American and second-team All-SEC for his efforts last year, and he's set his sights on helping the Jaguars be better from day one.
"My expectations are to just come in, earn the trust of the quarterback, earn the trust of my teammates and coaching staff," he said. "To know when an opportunity presents itself, I'm going to go out there, give my all, go out there and make the play."
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Enjoying Jacksonville after long night, shares moment with family
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (1) holds up his new jersey as he takes photos with mother, Sondra Thomas, left, and father Brian Thomas Sr. during a press conference Friday, April 26, 2024 at EverBank StadiumÕs Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville Jaguars selected LSUÕs wide receiver Thomas Jr. as the 23rd overall pick in last nightÕs NFL Draft. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars originally had pick No. 17 last night before trading back with Minnesota to pick No. 23. According to Baalke, Thomas was always Jacksonville's pick , even if they selected him with their original one.
When the call finally came, Thomas shared the special moment with his family. He was accompanied by his father, Brian Thomas Sr., his mother, Sondra, and his cousin Leantre.
"Just being able to share that moment with my parents, have my family there. It was a great experience for me," he said. "It was a great time just to have them there with me," he said. Jacksonville is somewhere I felt like I could fit in at, so I was very excited."
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As the night bled into the morning, Thomas said he was able to get a few hours of sleep at the hotel in Detroit before boarding Jacksonville's private jet to fly to see his new territory.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. points out on the field to cousin Leantre Thomas, left, near Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson before a press conference Friday, April 26, 2024 at EverBank StadiumÕs Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville Jaguars selected LSUÕs wide receiver Thomas Jr. as the 23rd overall pick in last nightÕs NFL Draft. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Upon arrival, he and his family were able to take a tour of the newest facility in the NFL at the Miller Electric Center.
He made the rounds seeing the practice fields, the locker room, meeting rooms and more, before eventually going into TIAA Bank Stadium where the team plastered a welcome message on the video board.
"It's a great feeling, just being able to experience this with my parents and my family," Thomas reiterated. "It's a great feeling just to know I'll be here in Jacksonville in not too long. This is where I'll be staying. It's just an amazing feeling."
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Thomas Jr.'s football IQ, skillset was tipping point for selection
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. speaks during a press conference Friday, April 26, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville Jaguars selected LSU’s wide receiver Thomas Jr. as the 23rd overall pick in last night’s NFL Draft. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Baalke revealed on Thursday night that Pederson was a big advocate for selecting Thomas from the first time they watched his film.
Pederson was able to expand on those comments on Friday, noting that one of the best attributes is the football IQ Thomas possesses.
The next attribute mentioned was his speed. Thomas ran a 4.33 in his 40-time and blazes past defenders in game.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. arrives on the field before a press conference Friday, April 26, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville Jaguars selected LSU’s wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. as the 23rd overall pick in last night’s NFL Draft. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
He has the skill to get behind the defense to take the top off but can also manipulate defenses into believing he's going deep while settling underneath for chunk gains.
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"There were a lot of good football players on the board, he happens to be one of them," Baalke said. "Not to discredit anybody else, but at 17, like we said last night, Brian would've been the pick and he ended up being the pick at 23.
"We're just fortunate to have him and looking forward to getting him on the grass."
Juston Lewis is a Jacksonville Jaguars beat reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JustonLewis_ .
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars first round pick WR Brian Thomas Jr. arrives in Jacksonville
