Seven video games into the 2021 season, Man Thomas was one of many higher gamers on the Colorado protection.
Though a foot harm sidelined him for the ultimate 5 video games, Thomas is again on the sphere this spring and feels he’s taken his sport to a different degree.
“Oh, yeah, I don’t assume I missed a step,” Thomas, an out of doors linebacker, stated after a latest apply. “I believe I’m simply as quick. I imagine that my pace didn’t go wherever. I’m solely getting higher.”
Nonetheless, the sixth-year senior is motivated to get even higher whereas being fueled by the competitors supplied by others in his place group.
CU, which accomplished the ninth of 15 spring practices on Wednesday, is seeking to exchange Carson Wells, one of many extra disruptive edge rushers within the Pac-12 the previous two seasons. It’ll take greater than Thomas, although, because the Buffs – even with Wells – ranked final within the Pac-12 in sacks final 12 months, with 13 (1.08 per sport).
“I believe that’s type of that chip on their shoulder is attempting to show that they’re higher than what they had been a 12 months in the past and rightfully so,” CU head coach Karl Dorrell stated. “They’re making that progress proper now. I believe we now have extra depth on these edges, in order that we are able to now play a 60-minute sport and really feel like there received’t be a lot drop off when it comes to the cross rush. However, they do have an edge about eager to show that they’re not the identical crew they had been a 12 months in the past.”
Early final season, Wells and Thomas fashioned a strong 1-2 punch on the sting. Thomas, a former junior school switch who started his profession at Nebraska, had his most efficient stretch in school. In seven video games, he racked up 36 tackles, two sacks and 5 tackles for loss, in addition to two pressured fumbles.
“I made quite a lot of performs, however I missed quite a lot of performs,” he stated. “This 12 months, I’m seeking to be a distinct man. I’m seeking to be a sooner man, a extra explosive man. I’m seeking to make extra performs. I’m seeking to do quite a lot of good issues and be one of many key gamers, influence gamers on his protection.”
He’s one of many older gamers on the protection and refers back to the outdoors linebackers as “my group,” but in addition acknowledges the expertise round him.
In line with Dorrell, Thomas is one in every of a number of edge gamers having a robust spring, together with seniors Likelihood Fundamental and Jamar Montgomery and sophomore Alvin Williams. Redshirt freshmen Devin Grant and Zion Magalei are pushing the veterans, too.
“We’ve quite a lot of guys who wish to compete, quite a lot of guys who wish to compete for the beginning job, which is an effective factor,” Thomas stated. “It makes me excited. They’re pushing me to work tougher, as a result of I don’t wish to lose my spot and I’m not going to lose my spot, so I welcome the problem.”
Within the offseason, Dorrell made a change in management at outdoors linebacker. Coach Brian Michalowski wasn’t retained, whereas defensive coordinator Chris Wilson shifted from teaching line of defense to the skin linebackers.
“I undoubtedly do miss B-Mike, however coach Wilson, he’s a distinct man,” Thomas stated. “He comes with completely different power. Each apply is intense as a result of that’s the particular person he’s, that’s the man he’s. So I undoubtedly can’t wait to see the ultimate product of Man Thomas after fall camp going into our first sport.”
Working with Wilson, Thomas stated he’s engaged on his cross rush and “having a signature cross rush transfer. I additionally wish to work on simply the elemental issues: get off, keys, play recognition. I wish to work on watching movie, something that may make me higher.”
Thomas has succeeded within the classroom, too. He has his bachelor’s diploma in hand and is at present engaged on his masters in organizational management. At CU’s annual lecturers awards banquet, he obtained the Clancy A. Herbst Jr. Pupil-Athlete Achievement Award for succeeding academically by private, educational or emotional difficulties.
“I had quite a lot of private points, coping with quite a lot of household points again house, however I didn’t actually let it have an effect on me,” he stated. “I stored my lecturers first and apply and all the things like that. I stayed strong, and my coaches and educational advisors applaud me for that. They had been there to assist me, which I respect.
“It means loads being acknowledged for issues I had completed throughout my difficult instances. Not too many individuals learn about it, nevertheless it’s good to be acknowledged. It means an entire lot to me.”
