Justin Thomas-Thornton to Transfer from Auburn: Latest Comments and Reaction|AU Hot Topics|Team BattleGround|College BattleGround

Auburn Tigers defensive end Justin Thomas-Thornton announced on Sunday through Twitter that he’s transferring after two years with the program.

Thomas-Thornton expressed optimism about his future and gratitude for his time at Auburn in declaring his intentions to move on:

Thank you for all the blessings it’s been a great two years at this amazing university. Forever Family 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/ga7xdYPPIY

— JT (@JTbigdreams6) June 26, 2016

Rated as the No. 6 weak-side defensive end from the high school class of 2014 by 247Sports’ composite rankings, Thomas-Thornton didn’t pan out as a 4-star recruit and will seek to fulfill his potential elsewhere.

A product of Vigor High School in Mobile, Alabama, Thomas-Thornton was able to go to school close to home and play in the SEC. As a senior at Vigor, he had 56 tackles (17 TFL) and eight sacks.

Once his commitment to Auburn was official, Tigers defensive line coach Rodney Garner elaborated on how Thomas-Thornton was rather raw but also hinted at his tremendous upside.

“He’s long and athletic, an edge guy. He’s got to get bigger and stronger,” said Garner, per AuburnTigers.com. “He has a chance to be a real force coming off the edge. I think he’ll be a great football player before he’s done.”

After redshirting in his first year on campus, Thomas-Thornton saw action against Louisville in 2015, per the Tigers’ official website.

Although Thomas-Thornton could’ve conceivably played his way into Auburn’s rotation in the coming years with three years of eligibility remaining, he must feel his best opportunity to see the field soon lies with another team.

Now the young edge player will have to sit out a year if he transfers to another FBS school. He could go the FCS route to play right away in 2016 and perhaps string together a couple of productive seasons, which could aid any potential future NFL ambitions.