Notebook: Thomas joins fellow JUCO transfer Tucker on rebuilt ISU defensive line

AMES — Two different sports and one unique path led Jhaustin Thomas to where he found himself, standing in the middle of a circle on the field at Jack Trice Stadium in his No. 8 uniform.

Thomas, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive end from Trinity Valley Community College, was officially announced at coach Paul Rhoads' media day press conference on Thursday. The redshirt junior will have two years of eligibility for the Cyclones and became a member of the 2015 class upon completion of summer classes at Iowa State.

'I really had to focus and get my schoolwork done,' Thomas said. 'I'm just glad I got an opportunity to come here and glad Coach Rhoads believed in me.'

Thomas was a 2012 signee of South Carolina, but was forced to go the junior college route at Trinity Valley because of academics. The Atlanta, Ga., native played sparingly that season after suffering an injury in 2012, but bounced back in 2013 as an NJCAA All-American with 55 tackles and 12.5 sacks.

After another attempt to sign with South Carolina in 2014 fell through because of the academic standard, Thomas played basketball at Trinity Valley in 2014-15 to maintain his eligibility to make another push toward Division I football.

That opportunity came in the form of a recruiting visit from ISU defensive end coach Stan Eggen.

'In the end, Jhaustin knew the people he could trust and he knew the best situation for him moving forward was Iowa State University,' Rhoads said. 'I give the coaches at Trinity Valley a lot of credit and I give Stan Eggen and the rest of our staff equal credit.'

In addition to the classes he finished at Iowa State to maintain eligibility, Thomas said his time has been well spent in the film room, weight room and training facility. He added playing basketball last season gives him an edge in his footwork and quickness that should help knock the rust off sooner rather than later.

'I love hitting people,' Thomas said. 'I love hitting the quarterback, I love the crowd and I love the brotherhood around it.'

'He's explosive and strong and we need that type of pressure with the pressure I put on myself,' said defensive tackle Demond Tucker. 'I think we're going to be great.'

Addition at Jack Trice Stadium nearing completion

Jack Trice Stadium construction in the south end zone is nearing exterior completion and is on schedule to be fully operational by the first home game Sept. 5.

Installation of the seating is almost completed and the south end zone video board is operational, as are the ribbon boards on either side of the field. Rhoads said players were in awe of the changes during an event on the field Wednesday night.

'They were literally just down there soaking it in and there's no doubt to me they're picturing that stadium packed with 61,000 and an environment that's going to exist on that night on September 5th,' Rhoads said. 'I'm right there with them, just like a little kid. Can't wait.'

ISU roster and health updates

Rhoads announced four players that will not participate in training camp this fall with Mitchell Meyers, Ryan Glenn, Justin Webster and Sheldon Croney all sidelined.

Meyers, a redshirt junior defensive lineman, is in Houston awaiting radiation treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is the only current member of the squad not on campus.

Glenn, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, will miss the season after undergoing offseason back surgery. Webster, a redshirt sophomore running back, will rejoin the team around October after he recovers from an ACL injury received during the spring.

Croney, a freshman running back, is recovering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his hand he suffered in May. After undergoing a second surgery this summer, he was ruled out for the upcoming season.

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