Daniel Thomas (safety)

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

Not to be confused with Daniel Thomas (running back).
Daniel Thomas
No. 20 – Jacksonville Jaguars
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1998-07-01) July 1, 1998
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Robert E. Lee
(Montgomery, Alabama)
College:Auburn (2016–2019)
NFL Draft:2020 / Round: 5 / Pick: 157
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2022
Total tackles:49
Pass deflections:2
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life and high school

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]

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