University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Thomas Named a Nominee for Orange Bowl Courage Award
Nov 20, 2019 | Football
MEMPHIS – Sophomore defensive back La'Andre Thomas is the tenth nominee for the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award it was announced Wednesday. Thomas is also a candidate for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award coordinated by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl Organization.
The Orange Bowl Award is given to a player, coach or support staffer in college football who displays courage, on or off the field. A select group of FWAA writers vote on the winner each year.
Requirements for the award are displaying some sort of courageous act on or off the field including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster and living through a lifetime of hardships.
Thomas has started all 10 games for Memphis this season and is second on the team with 50 total tackles, including 37 solos. He has added two TFL, one sack, one interception return for a touchdown, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. He also has one forced fumble to his credit this season.
The Jackson, Miss., native is back in the Tiger lineup after missing a bulk of the 2018 season with a shoulder injury. Thomas got hurt in a win over Georgia State and missed the next eight games while rehabbing his injury. He returned to the lineup for a regular season finale against Houston, helping Memphis seal its second straight West Division title, but missed the AAC Championship game and the Birmingham Bowl appearance due to injury.
Thomas came to Memphis and moved to the defensive side of the ball after playing quarterback in high school in his native Jackson, Mississippi at Wingfield High School.
He and his Memphis teammates close out their 2019 road swing Saturday at USF. That game will kick at 3 pm CT and will air on ESPNU. Memphis returns home for its final regular season home game on Friday, November 29 against East Division leading Cincinnati. That game will air nationally on ABC at 2:30 pm CT. Tickets for that regular season finale, which will also be Memphis' senior day, are on sale now at www.GoTigersGoTix.com.
The Orange Bowl Award is given to a player, coach or support staffer in college football who displays courage, on or off the field. A select group of FWAA writers vote on the winner each year.
Requirements for the award are displaying some sort of courageous act on or off the field including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster and living through a lifetime of hardships.
Thomas has started all 10 games for Memphis this season and is second on the team with 50 total tackles, including 37 solos. He has added two TFL, one sack, one interception return for a touchdown, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. He also has one forced fumble to his credit this season.
The Jackson, Miss., native is back in the Tiger lineup after missing a bulk of the 2018 season with a shoulder injury. Thomas got hurt in a win over Georgia State and missed the next eight games while rehabbing his injury. He returned to the lineup for a regular season finale against Houston, helping Memphis seal its second straight West Division title, but missed the AAC Championship game and the Birmingham Bowl appearance due to injury.
Thomas came to Memphis and moved to the defensive side of the ball after playing quarterback in high school in his native Jackson, Mississippi at Wingfield High School.
He and his Memphis teammates close out their 2019 road swing Saturday at USF. That game will kick at 3 pm CT and will air on ESPNU. Memphis returns home for its final regular season home game on Friday, November 29 against East Division leading Cincinnati. That game will air nationally on ABC at 2:30 pm CT. Tickets for that regular season finale, which will also be Memphis' senior day, are on sale now at www.GoTigersGoTix.com.
Players Mentioned
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