Andrew Thomas has played his last game as a Georgia Bulldog.
Thomas shared a message on Tuesday afternoon across all of his social channels. The last line from the All-American and in-state standout should hit home.
“I’d also like to thank the fans in the Classic City,” he said. “Where ever I end up next, I will always proudly represent the G.”
He said it was a privilege to play between the hedges on Saturdays. But he’s ready to pursue his childhood NFL dream.
Thomas is projected by NFL draft experts universally as a Top 10 and perhaps a Top 5 pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder came to Georgia from Pace Academy and was an instant impact player. The former U.S. Army All-American was quickly inserted at right tackle for Georgia’s program-defining 13-2 season.
He will likely go down in history as the only Bulldog to start all 15 games of his freshman season, start in an SEC championship game, a Rose Bowl game and start in the national championship game.
That was just his freshman year.
When he was doing that work, it was clear to see that his professional path would soon allow him to help out in his community on a much larger scale.
Thomas has seen his name dot all of the All-American and ALL-SEC lists over the last month. Rightfully so.
Those honors for his junior season included:
- Walter Camp All-America 1st Team
- Winner of the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy. He was UGA’s first recipient of the award in 21 years
- Named one of four permanent team captains.
- Co-winner of Vince Dooley Offensive MVP, given at team’s post-season awards gala
- All-SEC 1st Team by Coaches and Associated Press
- Semifinalist for the 2019 Outland Trophy
The junior will leave behind quite a legacy beyond those accolades. He started all 42 of the game he played in and only missed one game during his Bulldog career.
What has he meant to the program? The business major was the choice to represent the team last August for the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the new West End Zone expansion in 2018.
He wasn’t a senior. He was just Andrew Thomas.