Joe Thomas (offensive tackle)
| Career history | |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference |
Joe Thomas (born on December 4, 1984 in Brookfield, Wisconsin) is an offensive tackle drafted by the Cleveland Browns. He played collegiately for the Wisconsin Badgers.
High school career
Thomas was a standout performer at Brookfield Central High School, lining up at several positions and winning numerous accolades. He played tight end, defensive end, placekicker and punter.
He was listed among the top 20 offensive tackles nationally, a PrepStar All-American, second-team All-America offensive tackle according to USA Today, member of Detroit Free Press All-Midwest team, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first-team all-state defensive lineman and second-team all-state offensive tackle as a senior, and also received first-team all-state honors at DE from Wisconsin Football Coaches Association and Associated Press. He was also a great defensive player winning the WFCA 2002 Defensive Player of the Year. He had 85 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior. As a junior, he had 70 tackles and 8 sacks. He was listed as the third best prospect in the state of Wisconsin in 2003. In track and field, Thomas of Brookfield Central set the state record for shotput.
As well as being good athletically, he was good academic standing. He was a 4-year honor roll student and a part of the U.S. Army Academic All-America team.
Thomas was recruited heavily by Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Notre Dame before signing his letter of intent to Wisconsin in January 2003.
College career
As a true freshman that fall, he mostly saw action as a blocking tight end. In 2004, he started all 12 games at left tackle, helping the Badgers' ground game with Anthony Davis and Matt Bernstein in the backfield.
In 2005, Barry Alvarez's final season, he started all 13 games at left tackle and was named a first team All-American by Pro Football Weekly. He blocked for Brian Calhoun, who had a monster year, racking up 1,500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards. Thomas considered declaring for the 2006 NFL Draft, where he was projected among the top 15 picks (and projected as the second offensive lineman behind Virginia prospect D'Brickashaw Ferguson). The Badgers were invited to the Capital One Bowl against Auburn, where they prevailed 24-10. Unfortunately, Thomas tore his ACL playing Defensive Tackle because of injuries to other players at the position. This led Joe to stay at Wisconsin for his senior year. The Badgers finished 10-3 with a #15 ranking. Soon after the bowl game, Thomas announced that he would be returning to Wisconsin for his final year.
His senior season in 2006 began with high expectations. He was named a preseason All-American, and was on the watch lists for several postseason awards, including the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Trophy. As the offensive captain, he started all 13 games and blocked for P.J. Hill Jr., who racked up over 1,500 yards on the ground.
Following the regular season, Thomas won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman (includes both offense and defense). He was awarded placement on the Associated Press All-American first team at tackle, along with Michigan's Jake Long. Thomas and the Badgers were again invited to the Capital One Bowl, this time against Arkansas. The Badgers prevailed 17-14 and finished the season 12-1, a school record for wins in a single season.
Thomas also excelled at shot-put for the Badgers' track and field team.
Pro career
Thomas was drafted in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft (3rd overall) by the Cleveland Browns despite much speculation that the Browns would choose Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn
External links
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