It hasn’t taken long for Keir Thomas to get back to making a defensive impact for South Carolina.

After being limited to two games due to an ankle injury in 2019, Thomas has quickly returned to form at the start of his redshirt senior season. And not only that, but he’s gaining national attention for his recent play.

During an appearance on ESPN on Friday, analyst David Pollack brought back his “Dude of the Week” segment, which highlights an impact player from the previous week. And this week, it was none other than Thomas getting the recognition.

“Last week, Keir Thomas vs. Auburn was unbelievable,” Pollack said on the show. “He had eight tackles, two sacks, was all over the field. Plays with great leverage, plays with great energy. Got hurt a year ago, had to redshirt, man, but comes back. Look at No. 5 looking svelte.

“Late in the game, big play, he got a sack with under 40 seconds left in the ballgame to seal it. But big Keir Thomas was all over the field for the Gamecocks making big plays, he was a dude.”

In three games this season, Thomas has 16 tackles and three sacks, but his showing in the victory over Auburn was his best thus far in 2020.

Thomas will look to lead South Carolina to another win this Saturday as the Gamecocks take on LSU at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.