Donald Thomas
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Career Summary
Donald Thomas is a former NFL guard who played for Miami, New England and Indianapolis after walking on at Connecticut.
Thomas appeared in 45 regular-season games and made 23 starts across six NFL seasons. NFL.com identifies him as a guard from Connecticut.
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Early Life
Thomas arrived at Connecticut as a student who had not previously played organized football.
Thomas played basketball and baseball in high school and had never played football before arriving at UConn. After playing pickup basketball with UConn football players, he joined the program as a walk-on defensive lineman on the scout team.
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High School
Thomas attended Hill Regional Career Magnet High School in New Haven, Connecticut.
Thomas earned eight varsity letters at Hill Regional Career Magnet High School: four as a basketball center and four as a baseball pitcher and first baseman. He was also a National Honor Society member.
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College Career
Thomas developed from a UConn walk-on into a first-team All-Big East guard.
Thomas was a four-year letter winner at UConn. After beginning on special teams and at tight end, he moved to guard and started all 13 games as a senior in 2007, earning first-team All-Big East honors.
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Path to the NFL
The Miami Dolphins selected Thomas in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Miami selected Thomas 195th overall in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Before the draft, he played in the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game and was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
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NFL Career
Thomas played 45 regular-season games with 23 starts for Miami, New England and Indianapolis.
Thomas started Miami's 2008 season opener as a rookie before a foot injury ended his season. He returned to play all 16 games with 12 starts in 2009, and later started seven games for New England in 2012 before joining Indianapolis in 2013.
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Career Accomplishments
Thomas established himself as a starter in Miami and New England after entering the NFL as a sixth-round pick.
Thomas won Miami's starting right-guard job out of training camp as a rookie. In 2009, he started 12 games for a Dolphins line that helped produce 239 rushing yards against Indianapolis and 250 against Buffalo.
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Playing Style
Thomas played guard after developing from defense, special teams and tight end during his UConn career.
Thomas's transition from a scout-team defensive lineman to offensive guard reflected his versatility. Indianapolis signed him in 2013 seeking a guard who could provide physical run blocking on the left side of the offensive line.
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22105, 00-0026335, 1985-09-25, Donald Thomas, Donald, Thomas
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