Sept. 16, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
Senior defensive lineman Jarek Thomas had his final season in a Illinois State uniform come to an end Saturday, as x-rays revealed a spiral fracture of his fibula as well as a syndesmotic (high ankle) sprain in his right ankle which he suffered during the second quarter of Illinois State's 24-21 victory over in-state rival and No. 14-ranked Eastern Illinois. Thomas' injuries will require surgery, which will be determined later this week.
An honorable mention 2007 Preseason All-Gateway Football Conference selection, Thomas was poised to have another stellar season as the Orlando, Fla., native started the first three games of the year at defensive end. Through three games, Thomas leads the defensive linemen in tackles with nine, including four solo stops, as well as leading the team in tackles-for-loss (4), quarterback hurries (3) and is tied for the lead in sacks and forced fumbles with one apiece.
Head coach Denver Johnson was taken back by the news, concerned about Thomas more as a person as well as him losing the opportunity to finish his college career.
"It's terrible and tragic news to get the x-ray report back. It's really no surprise, we felt like the doctor's evaluation on the field was going to be confirmed by the x-ray, and indeed it was. It's a tragic loss for us as a football team, to have a great senior leader and senior player done for the year. I'm just heartbroken and sick to my stomach for `JT'. He was off to a good start, and it looked like he was going to have a great senior season.
"He has been one of the cornerstones of the program the past several years that we have tried to build our program around. He's just a great human being. It's an awful and terrible loss to us as a program and a tragic loss to him as an individual."
During his Redbird career, Thomas played in 30 games with 26 starting assignments. In 2006, Thomas had his best year in a Redbird uniform, finishing second among the defensive linemen in tackles with 35, as well as collecting his first two career interceptions. Thomas lived a defensive lineman's dream as he returned his second pick 28 yards for a touchdown against Youngstown State on Homecoming. He ends his career with 82 career tackles, six sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.
