Daniel Thomas (safety) explained

Daniel Thomas (safety) should not be confused with Daniel Thomas (running back).

Daniel Thomas
Current Team:Jacksonville Jaguars
Number:20
Position:Safety
Birth Date:1 July 1998
Birth Place:Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:215
High School:Robert E. Lee
(Montgomery, Alabama)
College:Auburn (2016–2019)
Draftyear:2020
Draftround:5
Draftpick:157
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:61
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statlabel4:Pass deflections
Statvalue4:2
Statlabel5:Interceptions
Statvalue5:1
Statlabel6:Touchdowns
Pfr:ThomDa07

Daniel Thomas (born July 1, 1998) is an American professional football safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn.

Early years

Thomas grew up in Montgomery, Alabama and attended Robert E. Lee High School. As a senior, Thomas was named first-team All-Metro and second-team ASWA Class 7A all-state after recording 87 tackles, five tackles for loss and seven interceptions, including two interceptions returned for a touchdown, while returning three punts for touchdowns.[1] Rated a three-star recruit, Thomas was considering offers from Minnesota, Clemson, South Carolina, and North Carolina before signing with Auburn after receiving a late offer from the school on National Signing Day.[2]

College career

Thomas played in 11 games as a true freshman, recording 16 tackles and two interceptions. Both interceptions were against rival Alabama on November 26, 2016, starting in place of linebacker, Deshaun Davis, who suffered a knee sprain the week prior against Vanderbilt, becoming the first Auburn freshman with two turnovers in one game since 2009.[3] Thomas played safety and the nickel back, and linebacker positions as a sophomore, finishing the season with 35 tackles, two sacks, one interception and three passes defended.[4] Thomas became a starter going into his junior season and recorded 74 tackles with five passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. Thomas is described as a "positionless" player, a short stocky defender with run stopping force and ball skills that led the Tigers to a successful 9-4 record.[5] [6] Thomas recorded 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, one pass defended and one forced fumble as a senior.[7]

Professional career

Thomas was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round with the 157th pick in the 2020 NFL draft.[8] Jacksonville previously acquired this selection by trading Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens.[9] In Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers, he recorded a touchdown on a blocked punt in the 39–29 loss.[10] In Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thomas recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Ben Roethlisberger and made a 53-yard return during the 27–3 loss.[11] He was placed on injured reserve on November 24, 2020, with an arm injury.[12]

On March 8, 2024, Thomas signed a two-year contract extension with the Jaguars.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marcello . Brandon . February 3, 2016 . Defensive back Daniel Thomas snags late offer, commits to Auburn . April 17, 2020 . AL.com.
  2. Web site: Stevens . Matthew . February 3, 2016 . (UPDATED): 3-star DB Daniel Thomas signs with Auburn . April 17, 2020 . The Montgomery Advertiser.
  3. Web site: Stevens . Matthew . July 5, 2017 . Auburn's 'Roaring Twenties': No. 19 DB Daniel Thomas . April 17, 2020 . The Montgomery Advertiser.
  4. Web site: Green . Tom . August 15, 2018 . New Auburn starting safety Daniel Thomas out to 'prove everybody wrong' . April 17, 2020 . AL.com.
  5. Web site: August 11, 2019 . Auburn safety Daniel Thomas ready to end career on high note . April 17, 2020 . The Montgomery Advertiser.
  6. Web site: Ferguson . Justin . February 15, 2019 . From signing day longshot to secondary stalwart: Auburn safety Daniel Thomas continues to prove doubters wrong . April 17, 2020 . The Athletic.
  7. Web site: Vitale . Josh . December 27, 2019 . Daniel Thomas' Auburn career comes full circle with bowl game vs. Minnesota . April 17, 2020 . TimesDaily.
  8. News: Green . Tom . April 25, 2020 . Auburn's Daniel Thomas drafted by Jacksonville Jaguars in 5th round . AL.com . April 27, 2020.
  9. Web site: 2020 NFL Draft Listing . October 30, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  10. Web site: Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Chargers – October 25th, 2020 . October 30, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  11. Web site: Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars - November 22nd, 2020 . November 28, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  12. Web site: Josh Allen among three Jaguars defenders placed on IR. Big Cat Country. SB Nation. November 25, 2020.
  13. Web site: Official: Jaguars Sign Contract Extension for Safety Daniel Thomas. Oehser, John. Jaguars.com. March 8, 2024.