Buffs’ LB Thomas works to improve his game

» Seven games into the 2021 season, Guy Thomas was one of the better players on the Colorado defense.

Although a foot injury sidelined him for the final five games, Thomas is back on the field this spring and feels he’s taken his game to another level.

“Oh, yeah, I don’t think I missed a step,” Thomas, an outside linebacker, said after a recent practice. “I think I’m just as fast. I believe that my speed didn’t go anywhere. I’m only getting better.”

CU, which completed the ninth of 15 spring practices on Wednesday, is looking to replace Carson Wells, one of the more disruptive edge rushers in the Pac-12 the past two seasons. It’ll take more than Thomas, though, as the Buffs — even with Wells — ranked last in the Pac-12 in sacks last year, with 13 (1.08 per game).

“I think that’s kind of that chip on their shoulder is trying to prove that they’re better than what they were a year ago and rightfully so,” CU coach Karl Dorrell said. “They’re making that progress right now. I think we have more depth on those edges, so that we can now play a 60 minute game and feel like there won’t be much drop off in terms of the pass rush. But, they do have an edge about wanting to prove that they’re not the same team they were a year ago.”

Early last season, Wells and Thomas formed a solid 1-2 punch on the edge. Thomas, a former junior college transfer who began his career at Nebraska, had his most productive stretch in college. In seven games, he racked up 36 tackles, two sacks and five tackles for loss, as well as two forced fumbles.

“I made a lot of plays, but I missed a lot of plays,” he said. “This year, I’m looking to be a different guy. I’m looking to be a faster guy, a more explosive guy. I’m looking to make more plays. I’m looking to do a lot of good things and be one of the key players, impact players on his defense.”

He’s one of the older players on the defense and refers to the outside linebackers as “my group,” but also recognizes the talent around him.

According to Dorrell, Thomas is one of several edge players having a strong spring, along with seniors Chance Main and Jamar Montgomery and sophomore Alvin Williams. Redshirt freshmen Devin Grant and Zion Magalei are pushing the veterans, too.

“We have a lot of guys who want to compete, a lot of guys who want to compete for the starting job, which is a good thing,” Thomas said. “It makes me excited. They are pushing me to work harder, because I don’t want to lose my spot and I’m not going to lose my spot, so I welcome the challenge.”