Defensive tackle Omari Thomas is returning to Tennessee for his super senior season, he announced on X Thursday evening.
“Four years ago, I made a decision to come here and be a part of the change,” Thomas wrote in a statement. “My time at UT has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve accomplished so much in my years here. I’ve grown as a person both on and off the field. I’ve enjoyed playing alongside my teammates and building a true brotherhood. However, I think we can take this a little bit further!
“With that being said, I will be returning to the University of Tennessee for my final season! Let’s run it back one. last. time.”
— Omari “Big O” Thomas🏴 (@901_sxvxge) December 14, 2023
Thomas has been a major part of Tennessee’s defensive line rotation the last three years and a starter each of the last two seasons. During the 2023 season, Thomas totaled 31 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Over the course of his Tennessee career, Thomas has recorded 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and eight pass deflections.
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In 329 plays last season, Thomas earned a 64.9 PFF grade. The senior played the most snaps of Tennessee defensive tackles and earned the third highest grade behind Elijah Simmons and Omarr Norman-Lott.
The Memphis native’s ability to stay healthy and on the field at one of the most physical positions on the field is extremely impressive and another reason while his return to Tennessee for his final collegiate season is so important.
Returning Thomas is a major win for a Tennessee defensive line that could lose a number of rotational players on the interior of its defensive line.
Kurrott Garland played a number of key snaps for Tennessee last season but is out of eligibility. Norman-Lott was a redshirt junior but went through Senior Day festivities against Vanderbilt. Simmons was a senior who also went through Senior Day festivities in the regular season finale. Neither has formally announced their plans for their football futures.
Freshman defensive tackle Daevin Hobbs and redshirt junior Bryson Eason were both apart of Tennessee’s defensive tackle rotation in 2023.
