National Football Foundation

Arguably the nation's greatest offensive tackle, Joe Thomas has proven to be an immovable force on the University of Wisconsin offensive line. An academic scholar and community leader, his influence stretches far beyond the football field.

A Business major, Thomas is a three-time First Team Academic All-Conference selection and a two-time ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-District pick. 

An intimidating physical specimen at 6-foot-8, 313 pounds, Thomas earned First Team All-America status and was named a Lombardi Award semifinalist in 2005. Starting every game the past two seasons and named the nation's No. 2 offensive tackle this pre-season, he has greatly contributed to P.J. Hill's sixth-ranked rushing attack. A 2006 Pre-Season First Team All-America selection, Thomas is a member of the Lombardi and Outland Award Watch Lists and is projected to be among the top three overall selections in the 2007 NFL Draft. 

A team captain, Thomas has served as a volunteer auctioneer to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. A visitor to sick children at the UW Children's Hospital, he mentors a Special Olympics shot putter and serves on a church youth group board. 

Thomas becomes the fourth Badger to win a National Scholar-Athlete Award and the first since James Leonhard in 2004. Thomas was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the third overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft and he has started all 128 games since 2007, earning Pro Bowl honors every season.

He is a five-time First Team and two-time Second Team All-Pro selection. Since 2011, Thomas has been ranked among the top-100 players of the NFL