Jaimie Thomas
Encyclopedia
Jaimie Thomas is an American football
guard
for the Indianapolis Colts
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Maryland
.
to Jerome and Charley Thomas. Two of his brothers, Jonathan and Joseph, also attended the University of Maryland. Jaimie Thomas attended Bishop McDevitt High School
, where he played football and basketball, earning a letter in both three times. In football, he played as an offensive tackle and defensive tackle. As a sophomore he allowed just one quarterback sack
, while allowing none during his junior and senior seasons. He served as part of a blocking unit for the state of Pennsylvania
's best rusher, LeSean McCoy
, who, in 2003, rushed for 2,561 yards in ten games.
Thomas was named a SuperPrep All-American, PrepStar honorable mention, All-Northeast region, and first-team all-state player. He was named an all-conference player during both his senior and junior years. Rivals.com
ranked him as a four-star recruit. He was recruited by Maryland, Notre Dame
, Penn State
, and Tennessee
.
During his high school career, Thomas maintained a 3.7 grade-point average and was a member of the National Honor Society
.
as a redshirt
. He served as a member of the scout team
and was named the offensive scout team player of the week in the practices leading up to the game against . In 2005
, Thomas saw action in all 11 games, including one start at the left guard position, and recorded three "big" blocks while allowing one sack in 162 plays. Before the 2006 season, head coach Ralph Friedgen
suspended Thomas and tackle Jared Gaither
from summer practice for two weeks due to unspecified team rules violations. Friedgen said that they were not in any legal trouble, and they returned after serving the suspension.
In 2006
, he played in all 13 games including three starts at left guard. Thomas was part of the offensive line responsible for opening lanes for tailbacks Lance Ball
and Keon Lattimore
, who rush
ed for over 1,400 combined yards. The unit allowed 19 sacks, the second-best tally in the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC).
In 2007
, Thomas played in a eight games as a left guard, including seven starts, before he suffered a fractured right fibula against Virginia
. The Washington Times
correlated Maryland's defeat in that game to the loss of Thomas. Up to that point, Thomas had helped Ball and Lattimore again rush for almost 1,600 yards, and helped quarterback Chris Turner
become the third-most efficient passer in the ACC.
In 2008
, he played in all 13 games, including 12 starts. That season, the offensive line allowed Da'Rel Scott
to rush for 1,133 yards and Turner to throw for 2,516 yards, the seventh-highest single-season passing mark in school history. Before the season, he had been named an Athlon and Lindy's preseason second-team All-ACC player. The Associated Press and Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association named him an All-ACC honorable mention.
by the Indianapolis Colts
as the 236th overall pick. The NFL Draft Scout had ranked him as eighth out of 192 offensive guard prospects for the draft and had projected him as a fifth-round selection. Thomas participated in the NFL combine, where he was X-ray
ed in order to assess the fracture he suffered in 2007. He said that he believed he passed all the medical exams. Scouts were reportedly impressed by his arm length, a 78-inch wingspan, which Thomas said "helps in pass-blocking more than run-blocking ... me being able to lock onto guys." He spent the entire 2009 season on the Colts' practice squad, and was re-signed to a future contract on February 11, 2010.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
for the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Maryland
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.
Early years
Thomas was born on August 22, 1986 in Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaHarrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
to Jerome and Charley Thomas. Two of his brothers, Jonathan and Joseph, also attended the University of Maryland. Jaimie Thomas attended Bishop McDevitt High School
Bishop McDevitt High School (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
Bishop McDevitt High School is a private, coeducational Catholic high school of the Diocese of Harrisburg, located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. The school was founded in 1918 and renamed in 1957 to honor the memory of the Most Reverend Philip R. McDevitt, fourth bishop of Harrisburg...
, where he played football and basketball, earning a letter in both three times. In football, he played as an offensive tackle and defensive tackle. As a sophomore he allowed just one quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
, while allowing none during his junior and senior seasons. He served as part of a blocking unit for the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
's best rusher, LeSean McCoy
LeSean McCoy
-Philadelphia Eagles:McCoy was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on June 29, 2009....
, who, in 2003, rushed for 2,561 yards in ten games.
Thomas was named a SuperPrep All-American, PrepStar honorable mention, All-Northeast region, and first-team all-state player. He was named an all-conference player during both his senior and junior years. Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
ranked him as a four-star recruit. He was recruited by Maryland, Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
, Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
, and Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
.
During his high school career, Thomas maintained a 3.7 grade-point average and was a member of the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
.
College career
Thomas sat out the 2004 season2004 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2004 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 52nd season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . Ralph Friedgen led the...
as a redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
. He served as a member of the scout team
Scout team
In sports, the scout team, also referred to as a practice team, taxi squad, practice squad or practice roster, is a group of players on a team whose task is to emulate future opponents for the featured players. Frequently used in American or Canadian Football, these teams consist of less...
and was named the offensive scout team player of the week in the practices leading up to the game against . In 2005
2005 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2005 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 53rd season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its first within the...
, Thomas saw action in all 11 games, including one start at the left guard position, and recorded three "big" blocks while allowing one sack in 162 plays. Before the 2006 season, head coach Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
suspended Thomas and tackle Jared Gaither
Jared Gaither
Jared Gaither is an American football offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2007 Supplemental Draft...
from summer practice for two weeks due to unspecified team rules violations. Friedgen said that they were not in any legal trouble, and they returned after serving the suspension.
In 2006
2006 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2006 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 54th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its second within the...
, he played in all 13 games including three starts at left guard. Thomas was part of the offensive line responsible for opening lanes for tailbacks Lance Ball
Lance Ball
Lance Ball is an American football running back who is a member of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore is an American football running back who is currently an NFL free agent and also played for the Trenton Steel in the SIFL. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Maryland.Lattimore has also been a member of the...
, who rush
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
ed for over 1,400 combined yards. The unit allowed 19 sacks, the second-best tally in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC).
In 2007
2007 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its third within the...
, Thomas played in a eight games as a left guard, including seven starts, before he suffered a fractured right fibula against Virginia
2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach is coach Al Groh. They played their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.- Preseason :...
. The Washington Times
The Washington Times
The Washington Times is a daily broadsheet newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. It was founded in 1982 by Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, and until 2010 was owned by News World Communications, an international media conglomerate associated with the...
correlated Maryland's defeat in that game to the loss of Thomas. Up to that point, Thomas had helped Ball and Lattimore again rush for almost 1,600 yards, and helped quarterback Chris Turner
Chris Turner
Christopher Robert "Chris" Turner is an English former footballer and manager. He managed Leyton Orient, Hartlepool United on two occasions, Sheffield Wednesday and Stockport County. He was previously a player with seven clubs, including two spells at Wednesday, Sunderland and Manchester United...
become the third-most efficient passer in the ACC.
In 2008
2008 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season...
, he played in all 13 games, including 12 starts. That season, the offensive line allowed Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
to rush for 1,133 yards and Turner to throw for 2,516 yards, the seventh-highest single-season passing mark in school history. Before the season, he had been named an Athlon and Lindy's preseason second-team All-ACC player. The Associated Press and Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association named him an All-ACC honorable mention.
Indianapolis Colts
Thomas was selected in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
by the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
as the 236th overall pick. The NFL Draft Scout had ranked him as eighth out of 192 offensive guard prospects for the draft and had projected him as a fifth-round selection. Thomas participated in the NFL combine, where he was X-ray
Radiography
Radiography is the use of X-rays to view a non-uniformly composed material such as the human body. By using the physical properties of the ray an image can be developed which displays areas of different density and composition....
ed in order to assess the fracture he suffered in 2007. He said that he believed he passed all the medical exams. Scouts were reportedly impressed by his arm length, a 78-inch wingspan, which Thomas said "helps in pass-blocking more than run-blocking ... me being able to lock onto guys." He spent the entire 2009 season on the Colts' practice squad, and was re-signed to a future contract on February 11, 2010.
External links
- Colts.com bio
- Eric Prisbell, Lineman Thomas Calls Franklin, The Washington PostThe Washington PostThe Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, November 18, 2008. - Q&A With Offensive Lineman Jaimie Thomas, University of Maryland, July 16, 2008.