Derrek Thomas, DB, Baylor: 2019 NFL Draft

Graduate transfer from Temple … Has played in 39 career games with 14 starts … Moved to defensive back from wide receivers in 2016 … Won AAC title with Temple in 2016 … Nickname is “DT” … 2018 Academic All-Big 12 second team. 

2018 (Senior): Graduate transfer from Temple … Appeared in all 13 games on the year, starting 11 of them … Was credited with 3 pass breakups in the Texas Bowl vs. Vanderbilt (12/27) … Had 2 tackles vs. Texas Tech (11/24) … Finished with 4 tackles (2 solo) at Iowa State (11/10) … Had 1 tackle vs. OSU (11/3) … Collected 1 tackle at West Virginia (10/25) … Had a career-day at Texas (10/13), with a career-high 6 total tackles, five of those solo, also a career-high … Made an appearance vs. K-State but did not record a stat (10/6) … Had 1 tackle (solo) at Oklahoma (9/29) … Was credited with 1 pass breakup vs. Kansas (9/22) … Had 2 tackles (both solo) and 1 pass breakup vs. Duke (9/15) … Collected first INT as a Bear vs. UTSA (9/8), also had 1 pass breakup and 1 tackle … Made Baylor debut vs. ACU (9/1) tallying 1 tackle (1 solo) … 2018 Big 12 All-Academic second team selection.

2017 (Redshirt Junior – Temple): Played in seven games with one start … finished season with six tackles (five solo) and six pass defended … made season debut against UMass and recorded two tackles … made lone start of season at USF … missed four games due to injury … returned to action at Cincinnati where he picked up one tackle … recorded first career interception in season finale at Tulsa and returned it 83 yards.

2016 (Redshirt Sophomore – Temple): Made the transition from wide receiver to cornerback and played in all 13 games with two starts … recorded 29 tackles with 22 solo stops … seven passes defended … had first tackle of career in win over Stony Brook … had a career high six tackles vs. Charlotte … racked up career-high three PBUs vs. Cincinnati … made his first career start at corner against UConn.

2015 (Sophomore – Temple): Redshirted.

2014 (Freshman – Temple): Played in six games … Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

Prep School: Played WR for coach Bill Chaplick at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y. … was 15-446-4TDs receiving in 2013 … named offensive player of the game after his 3 catch 125 yard and one TD performance at Yale.

High School: Played WR and CB for coach Joseph Grasso at Bishop Maginn High in Albany, N.Y. … served as the Griffins captain and was all-state and all-conference as a senior after garnering all-conference honors as a junior … led all receivers with 40 catches for 857 yards and 7 TDs … also had 31 tackles and an INT … was a NY State Hall of Fame scholar-athlete … also played basketball and ran track.

Personal: Full name is Derrek Tremonte Thomas … born in Albany, N.Y. … nicknamed “DT” … parents are Diana Sandaire and Derrek Thomas … graduated from Temple in December 2017 … pursuing master’s degree in Sport Pedagogy from Baylor.

Thomas grew up in New York where basketball ball was king. Every top athlete (like Thomas) put their focus on the hard floor rather than the gridiron growing up. Thomas excelled at the sport (AU basketball) and it wasn’t until he sat down with his father, prior to his senior season he decided to develop his passion to football, with his father knowing his sons’ size and athleticism would be hard to ignore.

So, his senior season at Bishop Maginn High School, Thomas began his journey that has led him into becoming one of the top defensive backs in the 2019 NFL Draft class. Originally scheduled to play for Penn State, Thomas had to attend Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y (prep-school), to get his grades up to par to become a Nittany Lion. 

That never materialized and two-days after Christmas he received a phone call from Temple and off, he went to play for the Owls. Athletic enough to play receiver he made the jump to defense and excelled. Thomas quickly became one of the top defensive backs in the American Athletic Conference. The elevation of his game led him to play in 11 of 13 games in his first season at Baylor. Immediately making an impact in the Big-12.

Thomas has ideal measurables. A humble confidence resonates in Thomas who has a strong believe in his personal athletic abilities. That confidence combined with his combination of size and ability are the attention grabbers for NFL Scouts. Thomas capitalizes on extending his body and making plays on the football. Adjusts appropriately to deflect the ball away from receivers. Excels in press man coverage and has the size to bump receivers off their routes. Possesses a quiet physical demeanor and is not afraid to mix it up in the running game. Has the recovery speed and that should be on display come the NFL Combine and his Pro Day on March 20th. 

There is a lot to be excited about when breaking down the intangibles Thomas possesses. He has the size and skills to develop into a solid starter in the National Football League.

A quick note: Remember how he had to get his grades up coming out of high school? His final year in college Thomas was named to the 2018 Academic All-Big 12 second team. Quick leaner on and off the field…