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Caleb Thomas is ULM Football's Man in the Middle

Caleb Thomas is ULM Football's Man in the Middle

Football Aug 28
By ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist Paul Letlow

Sizing up players along ULM's defensive line, first-year coordinator Vic Koenning noted a common trait in their physical profiles.

"We've got some experience there and some of our better leaders are there," Koenning said. "We're a little bit different. We actually have pretty good size. We've got a bunch of close to 300-pound guys, which is unusual. Usually you can find edge players that can run easier than the big hefties. We've got more of the big hefties than the speed, pass-rush guys right now."

Right in the middle of it all, you'll find super senior nose guard Caleb Thomas, one of ULM's "big hefties" at 6-foot-1, 299 pounds.

"Caleb Thomas is a leader," ULM coach Terry Bowden said. "I think he's the heartbeat of the interior of our defense."

Thomas returns after a productive first ULM campaign where he ranked second among defensive linemen and 10th on the team overall with a career-high 37 tackles (12 solos, 25 assists). A product of Mansfield (Texas) High School who signed with Connecticut in 2017, Thomas finished second on the Warhawks in tackles for loss with 7.5 for 30 yards, including 2.5 sacks for 19 yards; his totals for tackles for loss and sacks also represented career highs.

"We've made some great strides in the spring and fall camp," said Thomas, a preseason All-Sun Belt second-team selection. "I'm really excited to see what we can do this season."

Thomas said he's dropped about 20 pounds since the end of last season and believes he's improved his athleticism and conditioning.

"D-linemen are really just big athletes," Thomas said. "I did that just to help myself get better for this team and help us win some games."

One of four returning defensive starters, Thomas fully embraces the tutelage he's receiving from the veteran coordinator Koenning.

"With his experience, there's a little more confidence in what he's doing," Thomas said. "Not to say coach (Zac) Alley wasn't confident in what was going on or anything like that. He's been around the block and seen a lot of things. He brings a lot of wisdom to the table. He knows what's going on and how to be successful. That's great for us.

"He looks for ways to keep it simple and keep it effective."

Koenning has been in coaching for more than three decades, most notably as Wyoming's head coach and the defensive coordinator at six institutions, including Clemson, Illinois and West Virginia. Koenning also served two tours as Troy's defensive coordinator.

"I'm having a blast," Koenning said. "Candidly, for me it's an opportunity to test what I've always believed in myself. Not that it's anything about me, because I've always been hesitant to use me or I. It's about the team and about the players."

Disruptive with a knack for making plays in the backfield, Thomas recorded at least a half tackle for loss in seven games. Thomas recorded six stops (3 solos, 3 assists) in the season finale at the No. 23 Ragin' Cajuns, including a career-best 3.0 tackles for loss (9 yards). He made a career-high seven tackles (3 solos, 4 assists) against Georgia State.

Prior to ULM, Thomas made a combined 43 tackles with one sack during the 2018 and 2019 seasons at UConn. UConn cancelled the 2020 football schedule due to COVID-19.

Spotlighting top collegiate nose guards over the summer, NCAAFnation247 tweeted, "Thomas is a sensational run stuffer and an absolute wall for the Warhawks."

ULM will operate out of a three-man front this season, with Thomas plugging the middle.

"He's given us plays and given us looks and formations to see what we're capable of," Thomas said of Koenning. "He can see what we're good at and not so good at and adjust from there to put us in a situation to be successful."

Thanks to his improved fitness, Thomas is planning to create chaos from inside and even thinks he can make a run at leading the team in sacks.

"Of course, the competitor in me is going to say myself," Thomas said with a chuckle. "If I have to pick somebody else, I'd probably say Quae Drake."
 
 
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