Phillip Thomas, FS, Fresno State Bulldogs: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fresno State defensive back Phillip Thomas catches a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 208 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By:

40 Yard Dash: 4.65

Bench Press: 14

Vertical Jump: 35″

Broad Jump: 122″

2012 Stats

Career Highlights (via Fresno St. athletics site)

2012 (Senior): Became the first player in Fresno State history to be an unanimous All-American … named a first-team All-American by the AFCA, Associated Press, FWAA, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation … one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award that goes to the top defensive back in the nation … received the College Football Performance Awards Defensive Back Trophy … his eight interceptions leads the nation and has set a new MW single-season record. It is also the most picks by a Bulldog in 27 years … He individually has more interceptions than 29 FBS teams have this year, including four Mountain West teams … returned three interceptions for touchdowns, which has set a new school single-season record, tied the Mountain West record, tied for the national lead and is one off the NCAA record … his nine total take-aways on the year (eight interceptions, one fumble recovery) are is tied for the most from any one player in the FBS … No. 3 in the MW with 12.0 tackles for a loss and he also has four sacks on the season … forced four fumbles on the year and that mark tied for the Mountain West lead and ranked sixth nationally … led the team with 82 tackles and he has four pass breakups and one quarterback hurry …recorded a then-career-high nine tackles at No. 4 Oregon … forced a fumble on his first career sack in that Oregon game and also recovered a fumble against the Ducks … tied the school and Mountain West records with three interceptions against Colorado, Sept. 15, in a 69-14 victory … he returned two of his three picks against the Buffs for TDs, setting a new school record for pick-sixes in a game and tying the MW record …. named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week and the Jim Thorpe Award Defensive Back of the Week after his performance against the Buffs … also earned Player of the Day honors from ESPN’s College Football, Defensive Player of the Week accolades from CBS Inside College Football and CFPA National Defensive Performer and Defensive Back of the Week honors after the CU game … recorded his first double-digit tackle game at Tulsa, when he had 10 tackles, two pass breakups and one tackle for a loss … intercepted two passes in a win over San Diego State, Sept. 29, which was the third multi-interception game of his career and his second of the season … posted eight tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception in a 28-7 win at Colorado State … named the MW Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after the CSU victory … had nine tackles and one tackle for a loss at No. 22 Boise State, Oct. 13 … intercepted his seventh pass of the season vs. Wyoming on Oct. 20 and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown … set a new school record and tied the Mountain West record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown in a season (3) with that TD against Wyoming … also forced his third fumble of the season against the Cowboys … set a new Mountain West record when he intercepted his eighth pass of the season at Nevada, Nov. 10, when he also recorded new career-highs in tackles (12) and tackles for a loss (2.5) … had nine tackles, a sack and one forced fumble in the win over Air Force to end the regular season … team captain.

2011 (Junior): Suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle in a non-contact drill three days before the season opener, causing him to miss the entire season.

2010 (Sophomore): Started 11 games and finished fifth on the team in tackles with 64 … led the `Dogs with three interceptions (at Ole Miss, at San Jose State and at Boise State) … broke up a team-best 19 passes … recorded career highs of nine tackles against Cal Poly and Utah State … returned an interception 51 yards against San Jose State and had a 39-yard return on a pick at Ole Miss … broke up a team-high nine passes on the year … recorded 3.5 tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles on the year

2009 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 13 games and emerged as the season progressed into a game-changing player … had two interceptions, including an 21-yarder for a touchdown in a win over Illinois in the regular season finale … had a season-high eight tackles at Hawai’i … his two picks led the team on the season … 10th on the team in tackles with 33 and had 1.5 for losses … had seven tackles in the New Mexico Bowl.

2008 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Career Stats

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Thomas had a better senior season than most people could ever dream of. To say he was in the right place at the right time more often than not would be a vast understatement. He was responsible for eight interceptions, three of which he was able to return for touchdowns. He also racked up a career-high 82 total tackles along with four sacks and an unprecedented 12 tackles for loss from a defensive back. Not only that, but Thomas was able to add four forced fumbles. He was literally making plays anywhere and everywhere for the Bulldogs of Fresno State last season, and you have to like his upside as a potential starter in the NFL at free safety. Big, strong safety prospect who doesn’t have great straight line speed but has good instincts and can read the play really well. I think he is a solid day two pick this year.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)