Northern Illinois University Athletics

A 10-season NFL veteran with the Philadelphia Eagles, Thomas (St. Louis, MO / Sumner) was acquired by the New Orleans Saints this past April. The six-foot, 306-pound defensive tackle made the Football News All-Rookie unit at the conclusion of his first pro season in 1996 and played in Super Bowl XXXIX against the New England Patriots in 2005. In 126 career NFL appearances, Thomas has produced 377 tackles, 13.5 QB sacks, 10 pass deflections, eight fumble-cause hits, and six fumble recoveries. In 1996, he signed with the Eagles as a free agent.

During his Northern Illinois tenure, Thomas was selected to the First-Team All-Big West Conference squad by both the Football News and the league's coaches, plus team co-captain as a senior. In 1995, he finished No. 2 in team tackles for loss (11 for 26 yuards) and No. 3 in overall tackles (75) in his final year. Thomas notched a career-high 11 tackles vs. Southern Mississippi, 10 hits vs. 16th-rated Kansas State, and 10 stops vs. Utah State during his last campaign. As a junior, he made Second-Team All-Big West at nose guard. The three-year Huskie letterwinner recorded 202 career stops and 31 career tackles for 91 yards in losses (1993-95) for head coach Charlie Sadler.