Mike Thomas

Height:
5-11
Weight:
220
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Columbus, Ohio
High School:
Univ. of Massachusetts / Fork Union (Va.) Acad.

as a Junior (2009): Strarted every game during junior season and was second on the team with 71 tackles ... recovered one fumble and picked off two passes ... made a season-high 12 tackles in the win over Eastern Michigan (Nov. 27) ... also recorded double digit stops (10) in the game at Northern Illinois (Oct. 31) ... recovered a fumble and picked off a pass in the game at #8 Penn State (Sept. 5) ... second interception came in the win over Kent State (Nov. 7) ... made 2.5 tackles for loss ... broke up six passes during the season ... tallied eight tackles in the Indiana game (Sept. 19).

as a Sophomore (2008): Came to Akron as a strong safety/rover, but has moved to linebacker ... Responded to the move by ranking second on the team in tackles with 81 — four off the team lead ... Played in all 12 games, starting nine ... Has a knack for the big play ... Forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, tied for the team lead with 8.5 tackles for loss and added 2.5 sacks ... Named Akron’s Most Improved Player on Defense for 2008 ... Logged seven tackles, including six solo, with a TFL, forced fumble and fumble recovery in a win at Syracuse ... Only had four stops versus Army, but had a sack in one of the few pass attempts by the Black Knights ... Led the Zips with 11 tackles in the win at Kent State, including eight solo stops ... Came through with a big game in the win at Eastern Michigan, getting nine stops, including seven solos. Included in the total was 2.5 TFL and a fumble recovery, which came on the last play of the game securing the Zips win ... Tallied a career-high 13 tackles versus Buffalo, including a half sack and tied for the team lead with six tackles at Ohio, including a half TFL ... Earned Dean’s List recognition in the Fall (2008) semester, posting at least a 3.25 GPA for the term.

as a Redshirt Freshman (2007): Joined the Zips in August of 2007 and sat out the 2007 season per NCAA rules … Named Akron’s Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year.

Prior to Akron: Spent one season as a redshirt at the University of Massachusetts ... at Fork Union: Honored with the Sullivan Award for outstanding character and athleticism ... As a tailback, gained 1127 yards on 191 carries, scoring nine touchdowns ... at Bishop Hartley HS: Three-time team MVP ... Honored as second team All-Ohio player and All-Central League ... Part of the Ohio Super 25 ... Member of the Columbus Dispatch and Agonis Club of Columbus All-Star Teams ... As a senior, piled up 1350 yards on 188 carries and scored 17 touchdowns ... Also had 24 catches for 366 yards and three receiving scores ... Returned 13 kickoffs for 375 yards and one TD and returned seven punts for 222 yards and two TDs ... Was a track and field performer as well in the 200, 400, 4X100, 4X200, long jump and shot put ... Was fourth in the state in the long jump as a sophomore ... Also competed in the track & field Junior Olympics.
Personal: Born in Columbus, Ohio ... Son of Joyce Thomas and the late Melvin Thomas.