Thomas eager to show his strength

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State linebacker Matthew Thomas admits the thought of sitting out his redshirt senior season after he flirted with academic ineligibility.

But after missing several weeks of FSU’s preseason camp, Thomas became eligible and returned to the team during the first week of the season. He led the Seminoles with 10 tackles during their season-opening loss to Alabama.

“It was difficult,” Thomas said Tuesday when asked about being thrown immediately back into action. “I can’t lie and say it was easy, but I just did what I had to do.”

The Seminoles will rely on Thomas’ newfound ability to play inside linebacker and his dynamic skills as a pass rusher to slow opposing offenses this season.

“He probably at times was a more natural outside guy, but now he’s learned to be inside, and now he can do both. I think it’s really beneficial,” Jimbo Fisher said of Thomas. “… Now he’s processing and understanding that. He’s being physical and athletic. It’s fun to watch.”

During his absence from practice, Thomas said he was running and lifting weights on his own to stay in shape. Thomas hopes to help FSU avoid losing another game this season, but he also wants to accomplish some personal goals.

“I just want to play to my talent, because sometimes I feel like I had not out there,” he said. “So I want to show people what I can really do, consistently.”

Added cornerback Tarvarus McFadden: “[Matthew] is somebody that we really need and we’re happy that he’s back.”

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Safid Deen No. 12 FSU vs. NC State, Saturday, Noon,