Arguably the top returning running back in the Sac-Joaquin Section, Lincoln’s Jordin Thomas has found his new home for next fall committing to Fresno State earlier this summer.
The incoming senior locked in his decision after years of recruitment that landed him big-time NCAA Division I offers from Washington, Washington State, the University of Arizona, San Diego State, San Jose State, Sacramento State, and the University of Utah.
He narrowed his top three schools to Washington, Fresno State and San Diego State. Despite having the 2024 NCAA Championship runner-ups and a strong Aztec program on his line, the Bulldogs had something to offer Thomas that no other school did — the opportunity to play with his older brother, Timothy Thomas III.
“Since we were kids we always talked about playing together,” Jordin Thomas said. “We played together in high school and that was a big thing for me, I wanted to play with my brother. So that’s part of the reason why Fresno felt like the right fit for me.”
A family reunion
The Thomas brothers played together for one year at Lincoln when Jordin was a freshman on varsity and Timothy was a senior. Together they helped the Trojans to a 7-4 overall record and an SJS Division 1 playoff appearance with Jordin getting some touches at running back and Timothy making his mark as a linebacker.
“That year was super fun,” Jordin said. “It was probably like one of the most fun years I had because that’s when everybody was there like Jonah Coleman and all the big-time players that Lincoln had all played on that one team. I can definitely say they made me a better player for sure.”
It was in that year that Jordin was not only able to play alongside his brother but got to learn his smash-mouth run style from Coleman who recently transferred to Washington. He picked up right where Coleman left off in his sophomore season becoming the Trojans go-to guy in the backfield.
Jordin rushed for 887 yards and 13 touchdowns leading his team’s offense every chance he got the ball. Last season, the 5-foot-10, 205-pounder was nearly unstoppable. He ended the year with a career-high 2,095 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns putting him second in rushing yards in the SJS.
In the air, he racked up over 200 receiving yards and found the endzone twice for the Trojans. Jordin will look to be just as useful for Fresno State as a threat on the ground and the air for the Bulldogs.
“I liked Fresno because of how they showed they would use me on offense,” Jordin said. “Getting used in the passing game, speed spread out and those types of things that help a player get out in space and that’s the type of player I am.”
Going out with a bang
Before Jordin is reunited with his brother next fall, he will look to go out with a bang in his final year of high school football. Last season, the Trojans finished with a 6-5 overall record and a heartbreaking 37-34 SJS Division 1 playoff first-round loss to Cosumnes Oaks.
Since then, Jordin has been working hard in the off-season sharpening his skills to be his team's main offensive weapon.
“I’ve been working on things like blocking, catching, those types of things,” Jordin said. “I just been trying to work on things in my game that I know they’re going to use me for when I go down to college.”
The Trojans will look to ride the Jordin Thomas train throughout tough Tri-City Athletic League play and back to the SJS playoffs.
“I just want to win and I’m looking to win in my last year,” Jordin said. “I don’t want to be a loser so I’m just looking to win.”
Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
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