LSU Football is on the rise thanks to incoming Freshman, Rahssan Thornton. After a Senior season for the ages, Thornton is ready to make an immediate impact in Baton Rouge this fall. “Everybody’s expecting big things in the town that I’m in right now and they’re right. I’m not going up there just to play around. I’m hoping to get a starting spot.” said the 6’4”, 225 Defensive End.

A starting spot is definitely in reach for Thornton. Ranked by ESPN as the #9 defensive end in the Class of 2016, Thornton has been highly recruited throughout his high school career, but on June 17, 2015, his recruitment came to a close as he decided to commit to LSU. “Just the fact that I’m from Louisiana and I’ve been there all my life, so I’d like to go back home. Also, since my family is out there, I have support there. My uncle lives only a few minutes away from campus, so if I need anything, then my family can help me.” the Louisiana Native explained.

 

Despite attending high school at Shoemaker High School in Killeen, Texas, moving back to Louisiana for college is something that Thornton is looking forward to. While Thornton is excited to head to LSU, LSU is excited to have him. With a lot of returning defensive players for the university, Thornton’s commitment could boost LSU towards the top of the SEC.

Although he is from Louisiana, choosing LSU wasn’t an easy decision for Thornton. With 28 Division 1 offers, Thornton made sure to spend an adequate amount of time choosing where he will play his college ball, but once he got the offer from LSU there was no doubt whatsoever what he would choose. “I shut it down early just because I wanted to focus on getting my grades in order and getting ready for college. I already knew where I wanted to go after I got my offer,” Thornton said. “The decision was pretty clear, and I knew where I wanted to go.  My family was right there and I had everything I needed to make my decision.”

 

As a highly recruited high school athlete, it hasn’t been a cakewalk for Thornton, but while many recruits feel superior because of the attention they receive, Thornton feels no such way: “I don’t walk around with a big head. I perceive myself as a normal person. I don’t try to walk around like I’m the best, even though I might be the best. I just keep my head on straight and treat everybody like I want to be treated.”

Thornton’s humble attitude is in large part due to the obstacles that he’s had to overcome throughout his high school career. While he may be known as one of the best players in the country, the path hasn’t been an easy ride. “There were a lot of times on the field where I didn’t get to play. During my Sophomore year, I spent the majority of the year on special teams, but when I got on the field I played my best,” he said. “There were a lot of things that I had to do, getting my attitude right and everything like that, just small stuff that comes with football. Leadership, learning how to become a leader, teamwork, and everything like that.”

 

With his high school career in the rearview and a constant need for improvement, Rahssan Thornton is undoubtedly a player to look out for next year in college football. As he said best, “I’m just the type of person that is Hungry for Success. I want to compete and I want to be great. I want to reach that level of greatness where I can be the best. It’s just me, personally, proving to myself that I can be something, I can be the greatest.”