Brian Kelly explains what Zavion Thomas brings to LSU's return game: 'He's a weapon for us'

Brian Kelly took to the transfer portal to pick up a talented wide receiver who is one of the best kick and punt returners in the country. That aforementioned player is Zavion Thomas.

Thomas transfers to LSU after spending two seasons with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Last season with Mississippi State, he finished the year with 40 receptions for 503 yards and a touchdown. He made more of an impact on special teams than on the offense. He had six kick returns for 143 yards and a touchdown and 14 punt returns for 163 yards.

Kelly was asked about Thomas’s versatility in his press conference this week.

“His presence back there, obviously, allows us better field position,” Brian Kelly said, per On3. “We struggled a lot the past couple of years with the punt return game. He’s been able to get us great field position. Obviously, he’s a weapon for us.

“That’s what we were looking for when we went into the portal, somebody that could do that. Obviously, he got that one opportunity (against Nicholls). Maybe he got a bit too aggressive in terms of taking that out of the endzone. He was probably a little too deep, but he’s been an important part of our special teams.”

Thomas has the ability to win games for LSU on offense and on special teams.

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