The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Duke Thomas Signs With Houston Texans
05.06.2016 | Football
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HOUSTON, Texas – Former Texas Longhorns defensive back Duke Thomas has signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans, the organization announced on Friday (May 6) afternoon.
"You look at Duke, and he's played a lot since he's been here," Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong said about Thomas. "He understands the game. He's a guy who's really good at studying the opponent, and he's also a guy who can cover and is a really good special teams player."
Thomas, a native of Killeen, Texas, was a four-year defensive back for the Longhorns. He played the first three seasons at cornerback while spending time at nickel as a senior. Thomas played in all 51 games during his career while starting 35 of them. He was a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree, a 2015 second team Academic All-Big 12 selection and a three-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
In 2015, Thomas earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors by the coaches. He started all 12 games, split between corner and nickel. He finished third on the team in tackles with 58 and second in pass breakups with five. He recorded at least three tackles in every game and had at least four in seven contests. In a win at Baylor to close the season, Thomas was named the team's co-Defensive Player of the Week after recording four tackles and an interception which he returned for 29 yards.
As a junior in 2014, Thomas started 13 games en route to being named honorable mention All-Big 12 by the league's coaches. He led the team with 10 pass breakups and tied for second with three interceptions as he led the Longhorns to an appearance in the Texas Bowl. He also registered three interceptions as a sophomore in 2013 to lead the Longhorns. He played in all 13 games, starting 10, as Texas played in the Alamo Bowl against Oregon.
After a career as a prep All-American for Coach Jack Welch at Copperas Cove High School, Thomas came to The University of Texas as a corporate communications major. He was a three-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and was a member of the inaugural Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team in 2012-13.
