Replacing first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference forward Tyler Stone will not be an easy task for the Southeast Missouri State basketball team.

Latest Redhawk signee Tyrell "TJ" Thomas may never do that, but coach Dickey Nutt thinks his future is promising and sees some resemblance between the two.

"He really does [remind me of Tyler]," Nutt said. "He's 6-7, he's long, he's lanky, he's very athletic -- has a nose for the ball. I think he can score in all kinds of ways. He does remind me a lot of Tyler Stone. We told Tyler this early on, that we feel like he's much further along than Tyler ever was at the same time in high school, so we're excited about him.

"I think he meets a lot of the needs we were working for both on and off the floor. I think his character is good. To get a young guy like that where we're able to see him grow and develop is always nice. It's always nice to get a solid, good freshman."

Thomas, a senior at Tucker High School in Atlanta, is the fourth player that has signed with Southeast during the spring signing period.

He joins guard Marcus Wallace and transfer forwards Aaron Adeoye and David Williams, who each have one year of eligibility remaining.

"I think anybody that we have signed this year has the potential to be an impact -- there's no question about that," Nutt said when asked if Thomas would contribute to the team as a freshman. "I think only time will tell. I think the development and the individual workouts and the trainers that we put [Thomas] with -- I think in two or three months you'll see a different player before the season ever starts. We're excited to get that process going. I think he along with everybody else has a chance to be a big part and an impact player to our program. It's just a matter of waiting and seeing how we develop."

Nutt said that there's "no question" that Thomas is further along in his development than Stone was coming out of high school. He averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds during his senior campaign along with 3.2 blocks.

"He's much more skilled, he jumps out and shoots the basketball, he's very athletic and really long -- I wouldn't be surprised if he had a 7-foot wingspan," Nutt said. "He has a nose for rebounding the basketball. Averaging almost four blocks a game, that's a pretty good stat there. He has a nose and feel for around that basket with his athleticism. We really feel like we're getting a very special player. I know there was a lot of schools in there trying to change his mind. We certainly had to hold our breath the last week because they came in strong."

Thomas was recruited by Murray State, Tulane, Gardner-Webb, Kennesaw State and Mercer, according to a press release from the Southeast athletic department.

"I think it says a little bit about our program, and it says a little bit about the progress we're making," Nutt said of Thomas choosing Southeast over other options.