Bryan Thomas
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Career Summary
Bryan Thomas was an outside linebacker who spent his entire 11-season NFL career with the New York Jets.
NFL.com lists 157 games, 104 starts, 341 tackles, 33.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed, and seven forced fumbles for his Jets career.
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High School
Thomas attended Minor High School in Birmingham, Alabama.
UAB identified him as a Birmingham Minor High School product while announcing his selection for the 2002 Senior Bowl.
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College Career
Thomas was a four-year UAB starter and one of the most productive pass rushers in Blazers history.
UAB credited him with 35 career sacks, a UAB and Conference USA career record, including a school-record 14 as a senior in 2001. He earned first-team All-Conference USA honors that season after a second-team selection in 2000.
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Path to the NFL
The New York Jets selected Thomas with the 22nd pick of the 2002 NFL Draft.
UAB states that he became the first player in school history selected in the opening round of the NFL Draft. His UAB career also earned him a place in the 2002 Senior Bowl.
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NFL Career
Thomas played every NFL season from 2002 through 2012 with the Jets.
He appeared in at least 14 games in each of his first nine seasons. His 2006 season produced career highs of 59 tackles and 8.5 sacks, while 2010 included six sacks.
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Career Accomplishments
Thomas produced 33.5 career sacks and led the Jets in sacks in 2006.
His NFL.com season ledger shows 8.5 sacks in 2006, 5.5 in 2008, and six in 2010. At UAB, he was a first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2001 and later was named to the conference's All-Decade team.
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Playing Style
Thomas was a durable edge defender whose production combined sacks, tackles, and forced fumbles.
His NFL totals include 341 tackles, 33.5 sacks, and seven forced fumbles across 157 games. UAB described him as a four-year starting defensive end and a key part of its Steel Shield defensive front.
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Legacy
Thomas left UAB as its career sack leader and built an 11-season career with one NFL franchise.
UAB recognized him on Conference USA's All-Decade Football Team. NFL.com records that he played all 157 of his regular-season games for the Jets.
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19617, 00-0021081, 1979-06-07, Bryan Thomas, Bryan, Thomas
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