WATCH: Clemson commits standing out in all-star practices

Xavier Thomas impressed several national and regional analysts on Tuesday.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Tuesday, January 2, 2018, 3:42 PM

Xavier Thomas - Defensive End
TigerNet: (5.00)

Height: 6-3 Weight: 260 Hometown: Bradenton, FL (IMG Academy HS) Class: 2018

ESPN:

#4 Overall, #2 DE, #1 FL

Rivals:

#5 Overall, #1 DE, #1 FL

24/7:

#4 Overall, #1 SDE, #1 FL

Clemson’s top prospects are getting a unique opportunity to showcase their skills against the nation's best this week.

Clemson has several commitments, as well as several targets for the close to the 2018 class, playing between the US Army All-American Bowl, Jan. 6 (1 p.m./NBC), in San Antonio, and the Under Armour All-American game, Jan. 4 (6 p.m./ESPN), in Orlando, Florida.

Eight signees are playing in the Army game in quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Derion Kendrick, offensive tackle Jackson Carman, defensive tackle Josh Belk, defensive end Justin Mascoll, defensive back Kyler McMichael, defensive end Xavier Thomas and kicker BT Potter.

Several impressed analysts in Monday’s practice, as 247Sports noted standout efforts from Belk, Mascoll, Kendrick, Lawrence, McMichael and Carman.

“Clemson commit Josh Belk immediately flashed in drills,” 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong noted, “moving well at 6-foot-3, 320-plus pounds with monster calves. He was twitchy, powerful and disruptive playing against the run and brought a pass rush presence from the interior. The Richburg (SC) Lewisville standout flashed over and over from 1-on-1s to the scrimmage portion.”

Highlights from San Antonio so far…

Josh Belk

#Clemson DT commit Josh Belk continues to dominate the first practice down here at the @ArmyAllAmerican Bowl: https://t.co/9gfsBorwTC pic.twitter.com/OHxoH44zwM
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 1, 2018

Justin Mascoll

Clemson DE signee Justin Mascoll going through drills here at #ArmyBowl @TIinClemson pic.twitter.com/XSZRwWQQBk
— Woody Wommack (@RivalsWoody) January 1, 2018

OT Colten Blanton vs DE Justin Mascoll. #ArmyBowl pic.twitter.com/S7PUlwF600
— Greg Powers ?? (@GPowers247) January 2, 2018

Kyler McMichael

#Clemson signee Kyler McMichael has some great footwork #ArmyBowl
— Adam Friedman (@RivalsFriedman) January 1, 2018

5-Star Miami WR signee Mark Pope vs 4-Star Clemson DB signee Kyler McMichael #ArmyBowl pic.twitter.com/4zaJkIF40N
— Woody Wommack (@RivalsWoody) January 2, 2018

#Clemson CB commit Kyler McMichael with a downfield INT at @ArmyAllAmerican Bowl. He had a PBU on the very next play. Same scenario pic.twitter.com/d6T6CYv9bl
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2018

The collection of DBs working out at the #ArmyBowl East practice this morning. Kyler McMichael + Jalyn Armour-Davis + Derrik Allen + Tyson Campbell + Christian Tutt + Patrick Surtain II + Tyreke Johnson

?????? pic.twitter.com/rulxMdZn2g
— Greg Powers ?? (@GPowers247) January 1, 2018

#Clemson 4-star signee Kyler McMichael at #ArmyBowl practice pic.twitter.com/t7o1lcSJVh
— Keith Niebuhr (@Keith247Sports) January 1, 2018

#ARMYBOWL #Clemson #ALLIN signee DB Kyler McMichael runs through drills at Day 1 of Army Bowl practice. pic.twitter.com/UzefvKIOf6
— Rivals.com (@Rivals) January 1, 2018

Derion Kendrick

Tight coverage from Patrick Surtain Jr. but #Clemson signee Derion Kendrick with the great grab. pic.twitter.com/p0h7cbvwa9
— Gabe Brooks (@gabrieldbrooks) January 2, 2018

#Clemson commit Derion Kendrick is a dynamic guy. Shining early at @ArmyAllAmerican Bowl Practice: https://t.co/qhTT9B0cMT pic.twitter.com/l5LfX0Lk44
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 1, 2018

Trevor Lawrence

#Clemson QB signee Trevor Lawrence with a nice throw to #Miami bound Mark Pope. pic.twitter.com/uGSlhfRqBh
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2018

That’s my QB !!! Even tho i was in his face ?? You see that accuracy https://t.co/JM3Ifyrss7
— Xavier Thomas (@atxlete) January 2, 2018

What a grab by #Clemson bound WR Derion Kendrick from his QB Trevor Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/piI3XmSawb
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2018

Jackson Carman

#Clemson OT signee Jackson Carman (No 74) springs #Buckeyes RB signee Jaelen Gill: https://t.co/9gfsBorwTC pic.twitter.com/4P4IV3leOT
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 1, 2018

Five-star OL Jackson Carman is an interesting prospect. #ALLIN commit playing left tackle at Army Bowl and is showing quick feet but has the body frame and size to move inside.
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) January 1, 2018

Xavier Thomas took over on day two in drills:

Xavier Thomas says "wake up" for the #ArmyBowl practice. #AllIn pic.twitter.com/pI2tUR49XV
— Greg Powers ?? (@GPowers247) January 2, 2018

#Clemson five-star DE signee Xavier Thomas starting to dominate out here. pic.twitter.com/AaHRAaKSJz
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2018

#Clemson signee Xavier Thomas gets off the ball quickly. pic.twitter.com/qOFqHUNCyr
— Keith Niebuhr (@Keith247Sports) January 1, 2018

Xavier Thomas y'all #ArmyBowl pic.twitter.com/Bd13AQgEIZ
— Greg Powers ?? (@GPowers247) January 2, 2018

#Clemson DE signee Xavier Thomas a blur off the edge pic.twitter.com/9xVamLdwI0
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2018

Having fun out here competing https://t.co/alqCgVVem6
— Xavier Thomas (@atxlete) January 2, 2018

Top-five prospect K.J. Henry is repping the Tigers in the UA game, and he's impressed as well:

KJ Henry continues to be a beast #UAALLAMERICA
— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) January 1, 2018

K.J. Henry has had an active day, holding the edge, dipping shoulder and just had batted pass #UAAllAmerica
— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) December 31, 2017

#Clemson DE @thekjhenry_ doing 5-star things at Under Armour @AllAmericaGame practice day 1. Crushed it in 1-on-1's and now in tram pic.twitter.com/rN4ewesRkr
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) December 31, 2017

Notable among targets, Henry is playing on the same team as five-star receiver Justyn Ross, as well as target and Auburn commitment Matthew Hill.