Texas Tech University Athletics
One of Tech's Finest
September 10, 2001 | Football
Sept. 10, 2001
By Holly Krivokapich - Texas Tech Media Relations - He came to Texas Tech undersized and underrated and turned out to be Tech's only three-time captain in football history. Zach Thomas's determination and motivation combined with his god given abilities have turned him into one of Texas Tech football's greatest outputs. Thomas eased into the professional ranks as one of Miami Dolphins greatest defensive players.
Overcoming small town temptation and overcoming a severe injury instilled a work ethic in Thomas that he has continued to maintain.
"I didn't get caught up in all the distractions that I could have," said Thomas. "I was lifting on Friday and Saturday nights while others were going out and getting in trouble. A lot of my success had to do with that. The other part comes from my work ethic. I was severely injured when I was only two so that put me behind a little. I always had to work hard to catch up from the beginning."
Thomas began his freshmen year at Tech after an impressive three years at Pampa High School where he was voted Class 4A first-team all-state by APSE as well as District 1-4A Player of the Year. Thomas's freshman year at Tech was spent mostly on special teams. Thomas's determination to be the best led him to train hard and prepare for the upcoming season. With a height of 5-11 Thomas was not given a lot of credit, which motivated him rather than hindered him.
"People knocked me because of my size and slowness but they were wrong and proving that gives me a lot of self-satisfaction," said Thomas.
In 1993, Thomas really made a showing as a phenomenal defensive force for the Red Raiders. He was fourth in the Southwest Conference in tackles and set an all-time bowl record with seven tackles behind line of scrimmage vs. Oklahoma. Thomas was also a leader among Tech players, leading the team in four defensive categories: solo tackles, assists, total tackles, and fumbles recovered. Thomas was voted second-team All-SWC by the Houston Chronicle and Houston Post and set an NCAA bowl record with seven tackles for losses at the John Hancock Bowl.
In 1994, Thomas received his first All-American selection of which a second would come the following year. He was selected to the first team All-America teams of American Football Coaches Association American, UPI and American Football Quarterly. The Southwest Conference took special notice to Thomas naming him the SWC Defensive Player of the Year by a consensus vote, which he earned by his role as the SWC's leading tackler with 116 stops and assists with 51. He was also voted unanimous All-SWC by eight polls. Thomas received the Pete Cawthorn Award for team MVP of which he would earn again in 1995. His sophomore year brought around a d?j? vu experience for the Thomas family. Thomas played alongside his older brother Bart, the second time since they played at White Deer high school. They became the only brother combination ever to earn consensus All-SWC recognition in same year.
Tech competitors faced a lethal opponent in 1995. It was Thomas' senior year and he was explosive, being the first returning defensive All-American to return to Raiderland since E.J. Holub in 1960. He appeared on all pre-season All-America polls and was named to the All-America teams of Football Writers Association of America, Football News, American Football Coaches Association, The Sporting News, United Press International. After posting a 131-tackle season, Thomas was a finalist for the coveted Butkus award, given to the nation's outstanding linebacker. He finished third in balloting, surprising all even winner Kevin Hardy, who expected Thomas to win the award. He was named Associated Press All-Southwest Conference team as well as the league's Defensive Player of the Year.
On October 7th, 1995, Thomas gave Tech supporters something to gloat about to their Aggie rivals. Thomas returned an interception for 23 yards for a touchdown in the final minute to clinch a 14-7 win over eighth ranked Texas A&M. This game led him to receive the honor of Defensive Player of the Week by Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News. This game winning interception is one that Thomas still keeps in his top memorable plays
"The game against A&M has to be my greatest memory. That was definitely a play that put me on the map. I have had other great plays but that was by far the best play and best feeling I have had playing football. We had not beat A&M since I had been at Tech and it was my senior year. It was such an amazing game," said Thomas.
In 1995, Thomas was a finalist for the College Football Defensive Player of the Year award as well as finalist for the Football News Defensive Player of the Year honor. Thomas left Tech holding two major records, third with 390 career total tackles and ninth in total tackles for a single season. He is also the second Red Raider in history to be unanimous All-America choice.
After four years as a Red Raider, Thomas gave Raider supporters a reason to tune into Florida football. Thomas signed with the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round and started all 16 games as a rookie as well as finished the year as a finalist for the NFL's rookie of the year award. As a rookie he finished as team's leading tackler with 180 tackles, which is the highest single-season total by a Dolphins rookie. Thomas is also the third dolphin rookie in club history to record 100 or more tackles as well as third rookie in franchise history to lead the team in tackles. Thomas was not only a leader in the Dolphins but among the NFL. He led all NFL rookies in tackles and finished sixth among all NFL players. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the month for October, becoming the first rookie in club history to receive that monthly honor. He was voted team MVP and Newcomer of the Year by South Florida media, the first rookie to receive this honor since former Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino in 1983. In his first year he was voted Dolphin's recipient of the 1996 Unsung Hero Award as selected by NFL players association.
Thomas missed the season opener in 1997 due to a fractured fibula but once again trained hard and came back three games later. He once again led the Dolphins in tackles with 149. He also recorded a team and season-high with 16 tackles and two passes defensed against Chicago.
In 1998 for the third consecutive year, Thomas again led the team in tackles with 160 of which 124 were solo. At that time, it was the seventh-highest single-season mark in club history. Thomas was named linebacker of the year by NFL Alumni Association as was as first team All-Pro by the Associated Press, USA Today, College and Pro Football Weekly as well as Football Digest. In September, he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month where he totaled 37 tackles, one sack, one interception return for a touchdown and two passes defensed. For his outstanding performances, Thomas earned four defensive balls during the season. Thomas also received an honor for his leadership among his fellow teammates.
Realizing the true value that Thomas added to the team, the Dolphins signed Thomas to a five-year contract on Feb. 12, 1999. Thomas once again led team in tackles with 167 for fourth straight year. He was selected to first Pro Bowl of career and started the game. Thomas' motivation and leaderships were recognized when he was selected as permanent co-captain on defense. Thirteen times through the season Thomas led the team in tackles and now owns four of the 10 highest single-season tackle totals in team history.
When Thomas has time off from football, he enjoys other sporting activities and exploring all the options that Florida offers. Although he enjoys his time in Florida Thomas plans to move back to his home state of Texas when his football career is over.
"Playing football at Tech was great," said Thomas. "It is a great college and college town. If I could do it over, I would choose Tech again over anywhere else. You can't get any better fans that you have here at Tech. I did nothing but enjoy myself while I was at Tech."
