2016
Thomas enjoyed his finest season as a Commodore, posting career highs in virtually every category… Played in all 13 games, and earned starts in seven straight midseason games at inside linebacker after injury to Nigel Bowden… Registered 59 total tackles, 31 solo stops and 3.5 tackles for loss – all career highs… Six-tackle effort vs. NC State in Camping World Independence Bowl pushed Thomas beyond 100 tackles for his career… Thomas was productive as a starter, averaging nearly tackles during the seven-game stretch… Eclipsed previous single-game high with 11 tackles against Florida and 10 against Kentucky… Registered tackles for loss against Western Kentucky, Florida, Kentucky and Georgia.
2015
Thomas saw action as a linebacker and special teams contributor… Played in 10 games as a top reserve inside linebacker, missing Middle Tennessee and South Carolina encounters due to injury… Finished the season with 14 total tackles, including seven solo stops… Contributed three solo tackles in finale at Tennessee… Had season-high five tackles in win over Austin Peay.
2014
Thomas played in 11 of 12 games as inside linebacker in team’s 3-4 scheme… Missed an early-season encounter vs. Ole Miss… Only career start came in win over Charleston Southern… Ended the season with 22 total stops, including six solo stops, and a defensed pass… Had nine tackles, a career high, vs. Charleston Southern… Also posted five stops vs. Old Dominion, four vs. Florida and three at Mississippi State.
2013
Played in all 13 games, seeing action at linebacker and on special teams coverage units… Finished with 24 tackles, including nine solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss… Posted four total tackles against UMass, UAB and Florida… Also registered a forced fumble vs. Missouri.
2012
Thomas contributed on the practice squad, while redshirting during his freshman season.
High School
Senior co-captain… Four-year defensive starter for 5A school, seeing action along the defensive front and linebacker positions… As senior OLB/DE, posted 57 tackles, five QB sacks and an interception for 9-3 squad that advanced for second straight year to second round of 5A state playoffs… Earned First Team 5A All-State and All-Area as senior… Had 73 tackles, 6.5 sacks and pair of forced fumbles as junior… Started at DE as true freshman when Godby advanced to state finals… Earned three letters as sprinter in track & field and two letters on weightlifting team… Earned Leon County School District’s Dale Doss Courage Award as senior.
Personal
Ja’karri Mar’quise Thomas… Majoring in Sociology… Son of Morris Knight and the late Catina Ponder… Born Aug. 15, 1993… Has four younger siblings: two brothers, E’yelle, and E’manuel; and two sisters, O’sha and I’mani.
Career Highs
Total Tackles: 11, vs. Florida, 10/1/2016
Solo Tackles: 10, at Kentucky, 10/8/2016
