Thomas Is Outland Finalist
November 21, 2006 | Football
Badger offensive tackle Joe Thomas has been selected as one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, presented annually to college football's top interior lineman, the National College Football Awards Association announced on Tuesday.
Thomas is joined in the finalist group by Texas offensive lineman Justin Blalock and West Virginia center Dan Mozes. The winner of the 2006 Outland Trophy will be announced on ESPN's The Home Depot College Football Awards, airing live from the Atlantic Dance Hall on the Boardwalk at The Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. EST (6 p.m. CST).
Thomas, a first-team All-American in 2005, is a consensus, two-time, first-team All-Big Ten selection. A team captain, he also is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten and three-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District choice. In addition, he is a finalist for both the Draddy Trophy (college football's top scholar-athlete) and the Weurffel Trophy (community service, academic and athletic excellence).
Thomas has appeared in 47 games for the Badgers, including 38 starts. He sustained a torn ACL in the 2006 Capital One Bowl, but made a remarkable comeback and started every game for the Badgers this season.
This marks the third time Wisconsin has had an Outland Trophy finalist. Aaron Gibson (1998) and Chris McIntosh (1999) were both finalists, but neither won the award.
