Riverdale senior offensive lineman Phillip Thomas verbally committed to Alabama A&M Sunday.

A 6-foot, 320-pounder, Thomas started at left tackle for the Warriors his junior and senior seasons. Those teams combined for a 27-3 record, including an unbeaten 2004 state championship run, the school's fourth title.

"I like the campus, and I'll have an opportunity to play in front of 60,000 to 70,000 fans (in yearly classics — normally held in NFL stadiums)," said Thomas. "They have a nice facility, a nice stadium, and it's a nice school with a winning program."

Thomas said Alabama A&M, a Division I-AA school that plays in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, lost two starting linemen, and he is hopeful to get an opportunity to compete for a job.

"If you come in and work hard the possibilities are endless," said Thomas.

The Warrior senior, who excels in the classroom as well as the gridiron, had also considered playing at Samford and Brown.

Alabama A&M, located in Huntsville, keeps Thomas close enough to home for family to see home games, plus he is excited about opening next season against Tennessee State University in a game to played at The Coliseum.

As a senior, Thomas was a second-team selection to The Daily News Journal All-Area team and an Associated Press honorable mention choice. He was a first-team All-Area selection as a junior.

The Riverdale lineman is the second player from the state championship team to verbally commit prior to Wednesday's National Signing Day.

Dave Thomas, the Class 5A Mr. Football Back, committed to the University of Memphis earlier this month.