In a significant move for the Florida State Seminoles, JUCO linebacker Chris Thomas has officially committed to join #Tribe26 following his visit over the weekend. This announcement adds an exciting new player to their roster.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 220 pounds, Thomas hails from Northwest Mississippi Community College and is anticipated to have two years of eligibility left. Despite suffering an ACL tear last November, he recently underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2026 season.
Last fall, during his second year in junior college, Thomas showcased his defensive skills by accumulating 39 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss, along with two sacks and a forced fumble. In his freshman year in 2024, he recorded 14 tackles, three of which were for loss, and managed to secure a sack.
According to his biography from NWCC, during his freshman year in 2024, Thomas played a vital role in helping his team achieve a remarkable 10-2 overall record, clinch the MACCC Championship, and qualify for the NJCAA Division I Football Playoffs. He participated in all 12 games that season, finishing with a total of 27 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack. Notably, he excelled in the season opener against Pearl River, where he achieved a personal best of 10 tackles. His only sack of that season led to a significant nine-yard loss against Itawamba on November 1. Off the field, Thomas was recognized for his academic excellence, earning several honors, including Third Team NJCAA All-Academic, Academic All-MACCC, and a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for both the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters.
During his high school career, Thomas played under head coach Shelby Ford at DeSoto Central, contributing significantly to the Jaguars' advancement to the MHSAA Class 7A playoffs. As a senior, he earned Second Team All-State honors, was named First Team All-Region, and participated in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game. His impressive stats include 92 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, five forced fumbles, along with two touchdowns, two pass deflections, and one blocked field goal. This performance caught the attention of several colleges, including Ole Miss, Middle Tennessee State, Jackson State, Southern Illinois, and Mississippi Valley State.
On a personal note, Chris is the son of Deandrea and Harold Thomas and has seven siblings whose ages range from 6 to 28 years old. In his leisure time, he enjoys working out and expressing his creativity through painting. He is currently studying exercise science and is known by nicknames such as "C5IVE" and "Chris." He was born on October 17, 2005.
