Reserve Defensive Lineman Justin Thomas-Thornton to Transfer

Via his personal Twitter, Sophomore DL Justin Thomas-Thornton announced his intention to step away from the  Auburn football program, this morning.

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

Thomas-Thornton was a part of the 2014 recruiting class. He redshirted during the 2014 campaign and only saw action in the Louisville game in 2015. With the Tigers bringing in a big class of highly rated defensive linemen and with Carl Lawson staying for his third year while some of those freshmen are already stepping up, this isn't exactly a surprising move.

He was a 4* prospect and the 6th ranked prospect in the nation at his position of weak-side defensive end and the 6th rated recruit in the state of Alabama. For whatever reason, even as Auburn struggled with developing a pass rush in 2015 without Carl Lawson, Thomas-Thornton never really saw the field.

Having already used up his redshirt season, he'll have to sit out and give up a year of eligibility should he transfer to another FBS school. He would still have two years to play after that. Should he go to a FCS school, then he will have three years to play three seasons.

We wish him luck wherever he ends up.