National Football Foundation

A dominating Southeastern Conference linebacker, Dontarrious Thomas has been equally as impressive in the Auburn University classroom.

A three-time Academic All-Conference Honor Roll selection, Thomas earned Academic All-America District III Second Team honors in 2002. Four-time recipient of the Auburn Athletic Department Top Tiger Award, he is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society and is the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Scholar-Athlete Award. Having graduated with an undergraduate degree in Management last May, Thomas was a finalist for the SEC Boyd C. Whorter Student-Athlete of the Year Award in 2002. 

A physical specimen at 6'4," 238 lbs., Thomas had 122 tackles and nine tackles for a loss in 2001 en route to Second Team All-Conference honors. Named 2003 Capital One Bowl Defensive MVP and Defensive Player of the Week once in 2001, he has amassed 300 career tackles, ranking him among the top 10 all-time at Auburn. Through eight games, he ranks second on the team with 48 tackles and is a member of the 2003 Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker) Watch List. 

A devoted community member, Thomas volunteers his time with the March of Dimes, Toys for Tots and Read Across America programs. A guest speaker at junior high school banquets, he is also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He was selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and appeared in 59 games from 2004-07, registering 143 total tackles. 

Thomas appeared on the rosters of the Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers in 2008 and played one season with the California Redwoods of the United Football League before attempting a return to the NFL in 2010 with the San Diego Chargers.