This weeks' Wednesday pick in the Top 50 Players in Alcorn football history is MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas. Thomas played center for the Braves from 1970 to 1973 and during his four years, the Braves managed to have four consecutive winning seasons with a 26-9-2 record.
Thomas helped the Braves capture the 1970 SWAC Championship with a 6-0 record and 8-1 overall record In his freshman season. The Braves accumulated over 3,000 yards of total offense and averaged 26.9 points per game.
In 1971, Thomas and the Braves offense recorded over 3,000 yards of total offense for the second consecutive season averaging 253.0 rushing yards per game. The Braves averaged 27.4 points per game and finished the season 6-3.
Thomas made history during the 1973 season as he became the first offensive lineman to be named SWAC Offensive Player of the Year. During that season, the Braves posted a 7-2-1 record and recorded over 3,000 yards of total offense. The Braves rushing attack averaged 202.2 yards per game and scored 21 rushing touchdowns. He earned Outstanding College Athlete of America in 1974.
Thomas finished his career as a two-time Pittsburgh Courier First Team All-American and a First Team Black Mutual Sports Network All-American. Thomas was selected to the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Alcorn State Hall of Fame in 2010. He won SWAC Football Championship as a player in 1970 and as a coach in 1976, 1979, and 1984.
