In a star-studded LSU secondary, junior defensive back Dwayne Thomas is often overlooked.
He doesn’t share the accolades of former five-star status with freshman cornerback Kevin Toliver II or 2014 Freshman All-American with sophomore safety Jamal Adams. His name isn’t instantly recognizable like junior safety Rickey Jefferson, younger brother of former Tiger starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson.
But when he dons his No. 13 jersey and steps on the field at Tiger Stadium, Thomas has everything he needs — the respect of his teammates and a clean bill of health.
“He’s coming along,” Jefferson said. “He’s getting back to his old self … Just being more comfortable out there on the field, coming off an injury like that. It can mess with your mentality. It’s just hard. He’s taking strides.”
A year and 17 days ago, Thomas’ promising sophomore campaign ended with a season-ending knee injury in the Tigers’ fifth game of the season against New Mexico State University.
Before he was sidelined, Thomas doubled his career tackle mark with 24, including 2.5 tackles for a loss, and notched 1.5 sacks, leading the secondary.
After earning the Alvin Roy Fourth Quarter Award for oustanding performance in the LSU offseason program during spring practice, Thomas regained his confidence and energetic play style through his first five games as LSU’s starting nickelback.
Thomas posted 19 tackles and a team-leading four pass breakups through five games in 2015. In the Tigers’ three Southeastern Conference games, Thomas tallied 15 tackles, tied for third-most on the team.
“In the beginning of the season, I started playing a little slow, so I’ve started to pick it up,” Thomas said. “I’ve started to get my groove back, trying to fly around and make some plays.”
Thomas’ ability to overcome adversity on and off the field bolsters his ability to lead.
Along with coming off a season-ending injury in 2014, Thomas entered this season with questions surrounding his decision-making ability after he was arrested and booked for unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling and simple burglary on June 18. After the charges were dropped and he was reinstated in August, Thomas had something to prove to the Tiger faithful — if he could make the right choices and stay out of trouble. So far in 2015, Thomas has succeeded, leading LSU with his own quiet touch.
“He’s a little quiet,” Jefferson said. “He doesn’t really say much. He’s a veteran. He’s got some experience.”
His quiet demeanor resembles junior cornerback Tre’Davious White more than the Tigers’ electrifying vocal leaders like junior linebacker Kendell Beckwith, Jefferson and Adams, but Thomas adds to the confidence of LSU’s tradition of “Defensive Back University” by playing whatever role he needs to.
Although he enjoys dropping back in coverage, Thomas said he loves blitzing as a change of pace and a way for him to create pressure on the quarterback, helping his teammates in coverage.
“Blitzing is so much fun,” Thomas said. “You don’t have to run and cover, but you have an opportunity to sack the quarterback and make a big play.”
Thomas’ leadership extends beyond the secondary, which he subtly demonstrated during LSU’s 45-24 victory against the University of South Carolina on Saturday.
When freshman running back Nick Brossette was pulled after fumbling inside the Tigers’ 10-yard line during the fourth quarter, Thomas was the first teammate to approach the frustrated rookie as he threw his helmet and sat down on the bench.
Seconds later, the cameras immediately panned to catch sophomore running back Leonard Fournette’s much-publicized comforting of Brossette, epitomizing how Thomas’ leadership, much like his play, operates under the radar of the media.
“He’s a leader,” Beckwith said. “He’s an older cat. He’s been around for a while now. He’s a veteran for us.”

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Raegan Labat

LSU sophomore cornerback Dwayne Thomas is walked off the field after being injured in Tiger Stadium Saturday, September 27, 2014.