Julius Thomas

Julius Dewayne Thomas[1] (born June 27, 1988) is a former American football tight end. He played college football and basketball at Portland State, and was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins.

Julius Thomas
Thomas with the Denver Broncos in 2011
No. 80, 89
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1988-06-27) June 27, 1988
Stockton, California
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:262 lb (119 kg)
Career information
High school:Lodi (CA) Tokay
College:Portland State
NFL Draft:2011 / Round: 4 / Pick: 129
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:226
Receiving yards:2,406
Receiving touchdowns:36
Player stats at NFL.com

Early life and education

Thomas is the son of Greg and Toria Thomas. He has two brothers, Trenton and Marcus. Thomas graduated from Tokay High School in Lodi, California. Thomas graduated from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.[2][3][4][5][6]

College career

While at Portland State, Thomas was a First-team All-Big Sky Conference selection in football in 2010. He finished the season with 29 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns for Portland State's football team.[7] Thomas had not played collegiate football prior to 2010.

Thomas played four seasons for the Portland State basketball team. During his collegiate basketball career, Thomas set school records for career games played (121), career wins (78), and career field goals percentage (.663),[8] and also participated on one Big Sky regular season championship team and two Big Sky tournament championship teams as well two NCAA Tournaments (2008 and 2009). He was twice named to the Big Sky All-Tournament team. As a senior, he averaged 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and shot a school-record .671 from the field.[9]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 4 58 in
(1.95 m)
246 lb
(112 kg)
33 in
(0.84 m)
10 14 in
(0.26 m)
4.68 s 1.62 s 2.63 s 4.31 s 6.96 s 35 12 in
(0.90 m)
9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)
16 reps x
all from NFL Combine[10]

Denver Broncos

Thomas was selected in the fourth round with the 129th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2011 NFL Draft. He was the highest selected Portland State Viking since quarterback Neil Lomax was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980.[11] His rookie contract was four years and $2,420,000 through the 2014 season.[12] It included a $384,000 signing bonus.

2011 season

In his first NFL season, Thomas had only one catch as he battled various injuries. He appeared in five games on the season.[13] Thomas's lone catch, which came from quarterback Kyle Orton, came on September 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals.[14]

2012 season

Thomas did not record any statistics in the 2012 season. He only appeared in four games.[15]

2013 season

Thomas erupted onto the scene in the 2013 season. He scored his first and second career touchdowns in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5, 2013, having a five catch, 110-yard, two-touchdown breakout performance. Both of Thomas's touchdowns came from quarterback Peyton Manning.[16] He followed up this performance in Week 2 with a six-catch, 47-yard performance that ended with a game-sealing touchdown against the New York Giants.[17] In Week 3, he continued his scoring streak against the Oakland Raiders with three receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown.[18] Thomas played his best game of the season in Week 5, catching nine passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns in a 51–48 shootout win against the Dallas Cowboys.[19] On October 13, he had four receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[20] On October 20, he had five receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.[21] On November 10, 2013, he had three receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers.[22] In Week 16, in a win over the Houston Texans, Thomas caught a touchdown from Peyton Manning, which was his 51st touchdown pass of the season, which set a single season record.[23]

Thomas ended the season with 12 touchdown receptions, the most by any Denver Broncos tight end.[24] Thomas and the Broncos reached Super Bowl XLVIII, where he had four receptions for 27 yards, but lost 43–8 to the Seattle Seahawks.[25]

2014 season

In the first game of the 2014 season, the Broncos hosted the Indianapolis Colts. During that game, Thomas caught three first-half touchdown passes from quarterback Peyton Manning, tying former Bronco Shannon Sharpe's franchise record for the most touchdowns by a tight end in a single season game. The Broncos went on to win the game by a score of 31-24.[26] In the next game, he had four receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.[27] In a Super Bowl XLVIII rematch in the following game, he had three receptions for 17 yards and a touchdown in an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.[28] On October 5, he had six receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals. His first score was Peyton Manning's 500th career touchdown pass.[29] Three days later, Thomas was fined $8,000 for a chop block on Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell.[30] On October 12, against the New York Jets, he had two receptions for 44 yards and two touchdowns, which tied Calvin Johnson's record of nine touchdowns through the first five games of a season.[31][32] On November 2, he had two receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown against the New England Patriots.[33] On November 9, he had six receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders.[34]

Although his numbers in receptions and yards dropped from the previous season, Thomas recorded 12 touchdowns for the second straight season.[35]

Thomas and the Broncos made the playoffs in the 2014 season. They fell to the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional Round.[36]

Jacksonville Jaguars

2015 season

On March 10, 2015, Thomas signed a five-year, $46 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[37]

On October 18, Thomas had seven receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans.[38] On November 19, his five-yard touchdown catch was the game-winner in Jacksonville's 19-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans.[39] On November 29, he had nine receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers.[40] On December 6, he had two receptions for 15 yards and a touchdown in another game against the Titans.[41] On December 13, he had five receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.[42]

On the season, Thomas totaled 45 receptions for 455 yards and five touchdowns.[43]

2016 season

Thomas started his second season in Jacksonville with five receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on September 11.[44] On October 23, he had three receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders.[45] On October 27, he had three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.[46] On November 13, he had six receptions for 24 yards and a touchdowns against the Houston Texans.[47] He was placed on injured reserve on December 10, 2016 after missing two games with a back injury.[48]

In the 2016 season, Thomas played in nine games with six starts recording 30 receptions for 281 yards and four touchdowns.[49]

Miami Dolphins

On March 9, 2017, the Jaguars traded Thomas to the Miami Dolphins, where he signed a new two-year contract.[50] He was placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2017.[51] He played in 14 games with 12 starts, recording 41 catches for 388 yards for three touchdowns.

On March 14, 2018, Thomas was released by the Dolphins.[52]

Retirement

On August 24, 2018, Thomas announced his retirement from the NFL to pursue a doctorate in psychology. He would like to study CTE to help others.[53][54]

Career statistics

YearTeamGPRECYDsAVGLNGTDs
2011DEN 5155.050
2012DEN 4000.000
2013DEN 146578812.17412
2014DEN 134348911.43512
2015JAX 12464559.9345
2016JAX 9302819.4244
2017MIA 14413889.5273
Total672262,40610.67436

Source:[55]

Personal life

Thomas is a Christian. Thomas has spoken about his faith, saying, "When you're going through tribulations and it's one thing after another, it's easier to doubt your faith. It's easier to doubt the Lord. I never allowed that to creep into my mind. I thought, 'God brought me here for a reason.'...What I've learned is that no matter what you're going through, God has a plan".[56]

gollark: The universal law of DC: when it is time for eggs to drop, your connection will be slow.
gollark: DC is being a bit slow.
gollark: Presumably, they're awaiting a better offer.
gollark: I posted an offer on a trade two minutes after it went up. Half an hour later, still waiting.
gollark: -9.

References

  1. "ESPN Profile". ESPN.com.
  2. "Julius Thomas, Portland State, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com". CBSSports.com. June 27, 1988. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  3. "Portland State School of Business Administration: Impact Entrepreneurs 124; News". Pdx.edu. September 12, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  4. "NFL Local Ties: Portland State's Julius Thomas goes from hardwood to the NFL combine | OregonLive.com". Blog.oregonlive.com. February 25, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  5. "Julius Thomas, TE for the Denver Broncos at". Nfl.com. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  6. "Broncos' Julius Thomas in NFL now, but mom made him wait for football". Usatoday.com. September 12, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  7. "Portland State Vikings - 2010_PSU_season" (PDF). Portland State Vikings Athletics. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  8. http://www.denverbroncos.com/team/roster/julius-thomas/bfb583ff-6dbe-4ea3-8bd2-b6d9d36615ac
  9. "Julius Thomas College Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  10. "Julius Thomas". NFL Draft Scout.com. March 25, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  11. Lund, Mike (September 5, 2013). "Remember This Guy? Julius Thomas Stars In The NFL Opener". Portland State Vikings Athletics. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  12. "Julius Thomas - Miami Dolphins - 2017 Player Profile". Rotoworld. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  13. "Julius Thomas 2011 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  14. "Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos - September 18th, 2011". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  15. "Julius Thomas 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  16. "Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos - September 5th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  17. "Denver Broncos at New York Giants - September 15th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  18. "Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos - September 23rd, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  19. "Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys - October 6th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  20. "Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos - October 13th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  21. "Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts - October 20th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  22. "Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers - November 10th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  23. "Denver Broncos at Houston Texans - December 22nd, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  24. "Julius Thomas 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  25. "Super Bowl XLVIII - Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos - February 2nd, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  26. "Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos - September 7th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  27. "Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos - September 14th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  28. "Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks - September 21st, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  29. "Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos - October 5th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  30. Florio, Mike (October 8, 2014). "Julius Thomas gets fined for hit on Campbell". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  31. "Denver Broncos at New York Jets - October 12th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  32. Renck, Troy (October 18, 2014). "Briefs: Julius Thomas preparing for adjustments". The Denver Post. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  33. "Denver Broncos at New England Patriots - November 2nd, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  34. "Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders - November 9th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  35. "Julius Thomas 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  36. "Divisional Round - Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos - January 11th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  37. Oehser, John. "Julius Thomas: Ready for the challenge". Jaguars.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  38. "Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars - October 18th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  39. Yahoo Sports
  40. "San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars - November 29th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  41. "Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans - December 6th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  42. "Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars - December 13th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  43. "Julius Thomas 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  44. "Green Bay Packers at Jacksonville Jaguars - September 11th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  45. "Oakland Raiders at Jacksonville Jaguars - October 23rd, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  46. "Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans - October 27th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  47. "Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars - November 13th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  48. Oehser, John (December 10, 2016). "Saturday update: Thomas, Odrick on injured reserve". Jaguars.com.
  49. "Julius Thomas 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  50. "PRESS RELEASE: Dolphins Trade For Julius Thomas". MiamiDolphins.com. March 9, 2017.
  51. "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. December 20, 2017. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018.
  52. "Miami Dolphins cut Ndamukong Suh, Julius Thomas". NFL.com. March 14, 2018.
  53. Patra, Kevin (August 24, 2018). "Julius Thomas retiring to pursue PhD in psychology". NFL.com.
  54. Thomas, Julius (August 24, 2018). "Journey Into Self". ThePlayersTribune.com.
  55. "Julius Thomas, TE for the Miami Dolphins". NFL.com. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  56. "Klee: For Broncos' tight end Julius Thomas, faith drives his football".
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