By the end of the 2016, junior DE Chad Thomas was one of the best and most consistent contributors on the Hurricanes defense. In 2014 and 2015, his true freshman and sophomore seasons, Thomas underwhelmed many with his production after coming in with the most promise.
In his first two seasons, the 6’6” 265 lbs. Miami native only recorded 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (TFL) and one sack. In his junior season alone, Thomas accounted for 37 tackles, 11 TFL and 4.5 sacks. Thanks to a scheme change under defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, while also receiving daily trading from the best defensive line coach in the country, Craig Kuligowski, Chad responded with his best season as a Cane.