Daniel Thomas

Early life

Thomas grew up in Montgomery, Alabama and attended Robert E. Lee High School. As a senior, he was named first-team All-Metro and second-team ASWA Class 7A all-state after recording 87 tackles, five tackles for loss and seven interceptions, including two interceptions returned for a touchdown, while returning three punts for touchdowns. Rated a three-star recruit, Thomas was considering offers from Minnesota, Clemson, South Carolina, and North Carolina before signing with Auburn after receiving a late offer from the school on National Signing Day.

College career

Thomas played in 11 games as a true freshman, recording 16 tackles and two interceptions. Both interceptions were against rival Alabama on November 26, 2016, starting in place of linebacker, Deshaun Davis, who suffered a knee sprain the week prior against Vanderbilt, becoming the first Auburn freshman with two turnovers in one game since 2009. Thomas played safety and the nickel back, and linebacker positions as a sophomore, finishing the season with 35 tackles, two sacks, one interception and three passes defended. Thomas became a starter going into his junior season and recorded 74 tackles with five passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. Thomas is described as a "positionless" player, a short stocky defender with run stopping force and ball skills that led the Tigers to a successful 9-4 record. Thomas recorded 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, one pass defended and one forced fumble as a senior.