FSU star LB Thomas’ season nearly derailed
ATLANTA — Florida State linebacker Matthew Thomas’ redshirt senior year nearly came to an end before it even started.
FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said Thomas became eligible to play and practice with the Seminoles on Wednesday. A source confirmed Thomas resolved an academic issue that could have ended his college football career.
Fisher added Thomas will start in the heart of the defense during the season opener against No. 1 Alabama in Atlanta on Saturday.
Thomas ultimately did line up for Florida State on the opening drive against the Crimson Tide.
“We felt very comfortable the whole time,” Fisher said Thursday of the issue concerning Thomas, who had not practiced with the team since Aug. 8.
Fisher initially said Thomas was out because of an initial illness, then offered limited details until hsi return.
“Everything I said to y’all [the media] was dead on. He had the flu early. He got sick, came back. Then I kept saying [he’ll return soon] until everything got officially done,” Fisher said.
Fisher told media Thomas’ return would come “any day” or “very, very soon” when asked about the star linebacker’s status in the final weeks of preseason camp.
Despite his absence, Thomas worked out on his own during the last two weeks to keep his conditioning intact for the season opener, Fisher said before the team departed for Atlanta Thursday night.
With their leading tackler in tow, the No. 3 Seminoles’ lineup against Alabama featured 10 of 12 starters from a season ago.
Thomas’ return to the team closes the latest chapter in his turbulent career, while beginning a new one, offering him a final chance to prove himself as a capable defender worthy of NFL consideration.
During FSU’s media day on Aug. 6, Thomas admitted having problems dealing with his transgressions on and off the football field.
“It’s difficult when you don’t have discipline and follow the rules — you’ll make it hard for yourself,” said Thomas, who had 77 tackles last season. “That was the situation for me. I just had to buckle down and get myself together, and do what’s right.”
Thomas has had a tumultuous career since signing with the Seminoles out of Miami Booker T. Washington High School in 2013. He was limited to only four games as a true freshman because of shoulder surgery during FSU’s national-title winning season, and played in only eight games in 2014 because of a violation of team rules.
Thomas’ mother died in February 2015, the same year he underwent a second shoulder surgery and was ruled academically ineligible for the same season.
He returned to the roster in 2016, starting in 12 of 13 games, also accumulating 11 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, two pass deflections and four quarterback hurries as a staple on FSU’s defense.
Thomas notched a career high 15 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss in FSU’s Orange Bowl win over Michigan to end last season, displaying the talent and football moxie that garnered five-star hype as a high school recruit.
“I feel like I have the ability to be the best linebacker in this country, but I’m not there yet, though,” Thomas said. “I still have some things I have to work on. I feel like I have the ability.”
Fisher and defensive coordinator Charles Kelly also believe Thomas is more than capable. They love Thomas’ knack of closing gaps and covering a considerable amount of space in a hurry. Kelly even used the words “slippery” and “slithery” to describe Thomas’ defensive prowess.
“He’s a very skilled linebacker,” Fisher said earlier this fall. “He can cover, catch the ball really well. He got good eyes, instincts, and he’s so fast and athletic and strong.
“He’s got all the tools to be a really good player.”
The Seminoles have high hopes for Thomas in his final season with the Seminoles.
Thomas also has high expectations for himself, especially off the field. He wants to graduate from Florida State University with a degree.
“It would be the biggest accomplishment of my life so far because nobody in my family has,” Thomas said. “It would be a big milestone I’m trying to achieve, and I’m looking forward to that day.”