Branden Thomas 21 Class: Senior Hometown: Beaumont, Texas High School: Central HS Height / Weight: 5-9 / 170 Position: DB Experience: 3L

2011: Battled injuries but still appeared in seven games with four starts, including the final three games of the year ... Finished the year with 11 total tackles ... Registered three tackles against Stephen F. Austin (11/5) and McNeese State (11/19) ... Also had a forced fumble, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry against the Lumberjacks ... Had his only interception of the year late in the game at Nicholls (11/12) as the Cardinals won 34-26 ... Had a pair of tackles and recovered a fumble against Northwestern State (10/8).

2010: Started all 11 games for the Cardinals ... Tied for fourth on the team with 44 tackles, including 34 solo tackles ... Led the team with nine pass breakups and tied for the team lead with three interceptions ... Had a season-high eight tackles at Georgia State (11/6) ... Finished with seven tackles, three passes defensed and a blocked field goal attempt in 14-0 win over Langston University (10/9) ... Added two tackles, four pass breakups and a pair of blocked punts, one of which Payton Ploch returned for a touchdown, in 44-6 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State (11/20) ... Had two tackles and two interceptions in 24-20 win over South Dakota (11/13) ... Other interception came in 29-28 win at Southeastern Louisiana (9/18) ... Forced a fumble at the goal line in the season opener at McNeese State (9/4) to keep the Cowboys out of the end zone.

High School: Three-year letterman and two-year starter for coach Donald Stowers (former Lamar defensive back) at Beaumont Central ... Was second-team All-District 20-4A selection as senior in 2008 after earning honorable mention in 2007. ... Made 56 tackles, including 32 of the unassisted variety as a senior ... Had five sacks, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for a touchdown ... Posted an 18.6-yard average on punt returns ... Logged 29 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups as a junior ... Jaguars went 9-4 and advanced to the Class 4A Division I quarterfinals in 2008 ... Was also a state qualifier as a member of Jaguar track and field team ... Member of the National Honor Society and the Junior NAACP.

Personal: Branden Thomas was born on May 12, 1991 ... Son of Ernest and Keisha Thomas ... Majoring in kinesiology.