Earl Thomas (defensive back)

Earl Thomas (born May 7, 1989) is an American football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Texas and received All-American honors. He was drafted by the Seahawks with the 14th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Early years
Thomas was born in Orange, Texas. He attended West Orange-Stark High School in West Orange, Texas, and played for the Mustangs high school football team. While there, he was an all-state selection and three-year starter at defensive back, running back and wide receiver. He recorded 112 career tackles with 11 interceptions, two kickoff return touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns, while also having 1,850 rushing yards and 2,140 receiving yards in his career.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Thomas was ranked No. 19 among the best football prospects from Texas. He chose to attend Texas on February 26, 2006.

College career
Thomas attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he played for coach Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns football team from 2007 to 2009. After redshirting his first year at Texas, Thomas started all 13 games at strong safety for the Longhorns in 2008, and ranked second on the team with 63 tackles and 17 pass breakups, the most ever by a Longhorn freshman. He also had two interceptions, four forced fumbles, and a blocked kick.

Thomas subsequently earned multiple All-Freshman honors, as he was named to FWAA′s Freshman All-America team, Sporting News′ Freshman All-American team, College Football News′ All-Freshman first team, and Rivals.com′s Freshman All-America team.

As a redshirt sophomore in 2009, Thomas intercepted 8 passes, returning two of them for touchdowns. Thomas chose to forgo his final two seasons of eligibility at Texas to declare for the 2010 NFL Draft where he was the third defensive back taken.

Seattle Seahawks
Thomas was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks with the fourteenth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. At age 20, he was one of the youngest players eligible for the draft. Mike Mayock, longtime draft analyst for NFL Network, refers Earl Thomas as having the best chance of resembling Ed Reed in the 2010 NFL Draft class.

On July 31, 2010, Earl Thomas agreed to a five-year, $21.1 million contract with the Seahawks, receiving $12.31 million in guarantees.

On September 26, 2010 in a Week 3 game against the San Diego Chargers, Thomas intercepted two passes by Chargers Quarterback Phillip Rivers, one of which sealed a 27–20 victory for the Seattle Seahawks. Thomas finished the season with 76 tackles, one forced fumble and five interceptions that helped the Seahawks into the playoffs.

In the 2011 regular season, Thomas was a key player on the Seahawks defense. The Seahawks finished the year with the second-fewest 20-yard pass plays surrendered, largely thanks to Thomas playing single high safety, where he defends the deep portion of the field. His play earned him a Pro Bowl nomination and second-team All-Pro selection. He was also ranked No. 66 in the 2012 NFL Top 100.