Illinois? Miami Thomas: the most unlucky man in College Football
It’s hard to find anyone else in college football who’s spent a greater percentage of his career on injured reserve than Illinois defensive back Marcus Laron (better known by his nickname Miami, the city he grew up in) Thomas.
In the 2009 preseason, Thomas was a projected starter, but he suffered a season-ending injury; a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. In 2008, he got only 62 plays in on the season before tearing the ACL in his right knee, forcing him to miss pretty much the entire year. In 2007, he started one game (vs. Northwestern) as a freshman during Illinois‘ Rose Bowl “Champaign Campaign.”
His glory moment came that year during the Illini’s historical upset at #1 Ohio State, the first time Illinois had beaten a #1 team since 1950. When starting cornerback Vontae Davis (now with the NFL‘s Miami Dolphins) went down with an injury, Thomas stepped in and grabbed his first career interception, and tipped another ball to teammate Antonio Steele for another interception.
This fall he’s obviously hoping for more ’07 type vibes, and less ’08 and ’09 style karma. From speaking with him, it’s noticeable that the old cliche “
” rings true.
By Paul M. Banks
“To sit out two years in a row I’ve seen a lot, I’ve seen this program transition a lot from new coaching, new players, and not being out there made me a stronger person,” said Thomas, now a junior.
“Now when I get out there it’s not taken for granted. I’m going to play every play like it’s my last, because I’ve been through that. This is the most I’ve prepared for a season, just got to get through camp with no injuries,” he continued.
Thomas took his medical redshirt in ’08, but he may be granted another year of eligibility on top of that. So the years playing college football he’s had taken from him will be refunded.
“It’s impending, most likely if I need my 6th year, it’s there. Hopefully I don’t need it,” Thomas said.
Some day, Thomas would like to be known in the football world as much more than a health insurance provider’s worst nightmare. He’s a very heady player, and he confirmed my belief that defensive backs are some of the smartest guys on the field.
“You get two years of injuries, you kind of lose some of the athleticism, but I have to use my knowledge of the game now more than ever. And being a defensive back is not all about the physical aspects, and sometimes I know what’s coming before it comes,” Thomas said.
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and @bigtenguru
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