Zach Thomas

Bio

One of the most acclaimed Red Raiders in Southwest Conference history, Zach Thomas claimed unanimous First Team All-America honors in 1995. A two-time First Team All-America, Thomas was named the consensus Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1994 and 1995. A finalist for the 1995 Butkus Award, he led the Red Raiders to a share of the 1994 Southwest Conference title and three consecutive bowl games, including the 1995 Cotton Bowl and a win in the 1995 Copper Bowl. When inducted, Thomas ranked fifth all-time in school history with 390 career tackles, and held the school record with seven career fumble recoveries. He became a household name his senior year after his game-winning interception against Texas A&M, which he returned 23 yards for a touchdown with 30 seconds remaining in one of the most memorable plays in Texas Tech history. Taken in the fifth round by the Miami Dolphins in the 1996 NFL Draft, Thomas spent 12 years with the Dolphins before spending his final season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection was named the 1996 AFC Rookie of the Year and is the Dolphins’ all-time leading tackler. The Pampa, Texas, native became the owner of Zach’s Club 54 fitness centers in Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas. Active in the community, Thomas volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the United Way, and visited soldiers overseas. He is a member of the Texas Tech Athletics Hall of Fame, Southwest Conference Hall of Fame and the Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor.

Career Highlights

• 1995 All-Conference
• 1995 Unanimous All-American
• 1994 All-Conference
• 1994 First Team All-America