Matthew Thomas (linebacker)

Matthew Thomas (born July 21, 1995) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Florida State. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

Matthew Thomas
Personal information
Born: (1995-07-21) July 21, 1995
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Booker T. Washington
(Miami, Florida)
College:Florida State (2013–2017)
Position:Defensive line
Undrafted:2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
CFL status:American
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:4
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Matthew grew up the 4th oldest out of 8 kids in the Overtown Section of Miami-Dade County. Growing up very poor Thomas found his niche in football and quickly became a legend on the gridiron within the city of Miami, earning himself the nickname "Big 6".Thomas vowed to break the cycle of poverty in his family. Thomas attended Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, Florida. He was rated consensus five-star recruit coming out of high school and was ranked among the top prospects in his class. He committed to Florida State University to play college football on National Signing Day in 2013.

College career

As a freshman at Florida State in 2013, Thomas played in four games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. He received a medical redshirt and did not play in that season's National Championship Game. Due to failing a drug test at the National Championship Game, Thomas was suspended for the first six games of the 2014 season.[1] After serving his suspension, he returned to game action against Notre Dame on October 18, 2014. He went on to tally 26 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss on the season. He also played in that season's Rose Bowl, registering three solo tackles and one assisted tackle.[2]

In 2015, Thomas was suspended for the entire season due to being academically ineligible. Thomas would bounce back in 2016 as the second leading tackler on the team. In that season's Orange Bowl, he made nine solo tackles and assisted on six tackles.[3] In 2017, Thomas played in 11 of the team's 12 regular season games, and then decided not to play in the Independence Bowl.[4] He later accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 East–West Shrine Game.[5]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

Thomas signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018.[6] He made the Steelers 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie, playing in 10 games before being waived on December 1, 2018 and re-signed to the practice squad.[7]

Baltimore Ravens

On January 2, 2019, Thomas signed a reserve/future contract with the Baltimore Ravens.[8] He was waived on August 1, 2019.

St. Louis BattleHawks

Thomas signed with the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL on January 8, 2020.[9] He was waived during final roster cuts on January 22, 2020.[10]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Thomas signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL on April 14, 2020.[11] After the CFL canceled the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas chose to opt-out of his contract with the Roughriders on September 1, 2020.[12] He opted back in to his contract on December 29, 2020.[13]

Edmonton Elks

Thomas joined the Edmonton Elks in free agency on January 12, 2022. On June 2, 2023, Thomas was released by the Elks.[14]

References
  1. "Sports: For the Record". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. October 15, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  2. "Rose Bowl – Florida State vs Oregon Box Score". Sports Reference. January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  3. "Orange Bowl – Michigan vs Florida State Box Score". Sports Reference. December 30, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  4. Weiler, Curt (December 21, 2017). "FSU senior linebacker Matthew Thomas will not play in Independence Bowl". ESPN. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  5. Nee, Chris (December 26, 2017). "Matthew Thomas will participate in 2018 East-West Shrine Game". 247sports.com. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  6. "Steelers agree to terms with 13 rookie free agents". Steelers.com. April 28, 2018. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018.
  7. "Steelers activate Adeniyi to 53-man roster". Steelers.com. December 1, 2018.
  8. "Ravens Signed LBs Ejuan Price & Matthew Thomas To Futures Contracts". NFL Trade Rumors. January 2, 2019.
  9. "XFL Transactions". XFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  10. Talbot, Damond (January 22, 2020). "A Full List of XFL Roster Cuts, Who was released today?". NFLDraftDiamonds.com. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  11. "Riders Sign LB, Matthew Thomas". Riderville.com. April 14, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  12. "Tracking players who have exercised opt-outs". CFL.ca. August 26, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  13. "Riders Add Two Defensive Linemen". Riderville.com. December 29, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  14. "Edmonton Elks release five including former starter Matthew Thomas". 3downnation.com. June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
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