One of the biggest question marks of the upcoming football season is the health of senior offensive tackle Joe Thomas. Although he is already racking up preseason accolades and awards, many are still wondering whether the 6'8\ tackle will be at 100 percent heading into Wisconsin's opening game against Bowling Green, Sept. 2.
Thomas was hurt in the Badgers' 24-10 Capital One Bowl victory over Auburn while playing defense, a move former head coach Barry Alvarez made after the decimation of his defensive line. The injury was diagnosed as a tear of his anterior cruciate ligament and Thomas had a successful surgery to repair his injured knee. His rehabilitation appears to be going smoothly, and all signs say he will be ready for his senior year.
'I am looking forward to next season and I am anxious for our program to continue where it left off in Orlando,' Thomas said in a statement after the severity of his injury was released.
'Joe Thomas is one of the top players in college football and I am confident he will be back stronger and better than ever in 2006,' head coach Bret Bielema said in a similar statement.
Apparently much of the sports media around the country feels Thomas will be better than ever as well, because he is getting more recognition already than he did all of last season. Thomas is a 'top three' projection by many sources for the 2007 NFL draft, which would be the third highest in Wisconsin history and the highest in more than 50 years.
A semifinalist for the Lombardi Award (top lineman, offensive or defensive, in the country) in 2005, once again Thomas has been named to the Lombardi watch list for the 2006-'07 season. He also was a Playboy preseason All-American football team selection, a Sporting News (TSN) preseason All-American first-team selection and preseason first-team all-conference by TSN. In addition, TSN named him the No. 2 offensive tackle in the nation. All accolades aside, Thomas knows the team is more important and that he will be a vital part of the Badgers' success.
'I consider myself a leader, I have played since my true freshman year and have been through a lot of coaching changes on the offensive line,' Thomas said in an April interview. 'There are a lot of guys, on the O-line especially, that haven't played. I am just taking it upon myself to try and get them ready.'
Despite the loss of most of last year's explosive offense, Thomas remains optimistic about Wisconsin's prospects for the coming season. Even with superstar running back Brian Calhoun and head coach Barry Alvarez gone, Thomas does not believe the transition to a new coaching staff and offensive personnel will be tough.
'There is a lot of excitement in the air, the new coaches came in and brought a lot of new terminology and new principles,' he said. 'Everyone is really excited about learning it and finding out what the new coaches are all about.'
'uwbadgers.com contributed to this report.
