Thomas excelled at linebacker, running back and tight end for the Tigers, leading to speculation about what his role would be as a college player.

He was also a candidate for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's best tight end, and for the Draddy Trophy, for academic merit by a student athlete.

Long a favorite target of quarterback Vince Young, Thomas played a prominent role in the Longhorns' 41–38 National Championship upset of then No.

Thomas suffered a foot injury during the Patriots' 2007 offseason conditioning program and was placed on the team's Active/Physically Unable to Perform list for training camp and the preseason.

[4] The Patriots went undefeated during the season while Thomas was absent until losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.