Loghan Thomas, a rising junior defensive end at Notre Dame, is facing a crucial moment in his career. After a promising freshman season, where he played in 15 out of 16 games and recorded seven tackles and 1.5 sacks, his weight has become a concern. Weighing in at 207 pounds after winter workouts, Thomas is 13 pounds lighter than his listed weight from the previous season. This development has raised doubts about his ability to hold up off the edge, a position that requires significant strength and size.
In the modern era of college football, where programs invest heavily in developing players into prototypical physical specimens, Thomas' weight gain is particularly noteworthy. The question of what happened to Thomas has been a topic of discussion, with Notre Dame director of football performance Loren Landow acknowledging that some players struggle to put on weight at different stages of their careers. However, Landow also emphasized Thomas' other strengths, such as his strength, explosiveness, and burst.
The impact of Thomas' weight on his playing time is evident. Last fall, his playing time regressed, with only 39 defensive snaps and two tackles recorded. As he looks to get back in the everyday rotation this fall, his weight will be a critical factor. Thomas will have to fend off new transfer arrival Keon Keeley and several talented underclassmen to cement his spot on the defensive depth chart.
The defensive end position at Notre Dame is highly competitive, with All-American candidate Boubacar Traore and the uber-talented Bryce Young as the presumptive starters. The addition of former Alabama five-star transfer and blue-chip freshmen Ebenezer Ewetade and Rodney Dunham further strengthens the depth chart. Thomas' weight gain will be a key factor in determining his role in the rotation.
In the spring, Thomas split his reps with the ones and the twos and showed well in the Blue-Gold Game, where he beat right tackle Matty Augustine for three quarterback pressures and a sack. This performance suggests that he could be used as a third-and-long specialist, a role that would leverage his unique speed and athleticism. Despite his lack of size, Thomas possesses multiple physical and athletic traits that most defensive ends would envy, including an 80-inch wingspan and a 10.9-second 100-meter dash time in high school.
However, Thomas' weight gain will be a critical factor in determining his future at Notre Dame. If he fails to add at least 10 to 15 pounds over the summer, he could be pushed outside the rotation. Beyond 2027, Thomas has yet to preserve a year of eligibility, but he could get a graduate season if the NCAA passes the five-for-five eligibility rule. This extra time to develop might be what he needs to add the size and strength required to realistically compete for a starting spot.
In conclusion, Loghan Thomas' weight gain is a critical issue that will determine his future at Notre Dame. While he possesses the athleticism and speed to be a valuable player, his weight will be a key factor in determining his role in the rotation. As he looks to get back in the everyday rotation this fall, Thomas will have to work hard to add the necessary weight and strength to compete at the highest level.
