Last spring, Jhaustin Thomas had a plan.

After wrapping up the season at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, the 6-foot-6 forward planned to continue his basketball career by transferring to South Carolina.

Well, he planned to play football too.

Thomas was a rare multi-sport athlete, playing both on the gridiron and the hardwood at Trinity Valley — and he found success in both games.

But it was his football career that really stood out. As a sophomore in 2013, Thomas was named a National Junior College Association All-American, recording 55 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks that season.

But at some point during his sophomore basketball season, an academic issue hindered his plan to attend South Carolina.

In comes Iowa State.

“I just came here because they wanted me more and I trusted them,” Thomas said. “It was a trust thing.”

Thomas failed to meet a South-Eastern Conference academic standard, so he was declared ineligible to play at South Carolina.

Thomas then finished the year at Trinity Valley and arrived in Ames in June. He had to take two online courses during the summer, but was officially added to the roster when he finished the courses.

“It was just a lot of work,” Thomas said. “I had to really get focused and really do my schoolwork but I’m just glad I got the opportunity to come here. I’m just glad coach Rhoads believes in me.”

Rhoads gives most of the credit for finding Thomas to defensive ends coach Stan Eggen.

“I think Stan Eggen did an absolutely fabulous job of discovering and working with the coaching staff down there,” Rhoads said. “I’m talking football and basketball. He maintained a great relationship and maintained a great relationship with [Thomas]. In the end, [Thomas] knew the people that he could trust and he knew the best situation for him moving forward was Iowa State University.”

Thomas said his main goal is just to contribute right away and to be a good team player. He also hopes his basketball conditioning and footwork will transition well over to the football field.

And while Thomas said it seems like it’s been a while since he’s played the game, he is most excited to just get back to basics.

“I love hitting people,” Thomas said. “I love getting the quarterback. I love the crowd [and] I love the brotherhood around it.”