Joe Thomas attended Brookfield Central High School in Brookfield, Wisconsin where he was a three-sport athlete as a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. He threw shot put and discus on the track team, earning all-conference, all-area, and all-state honors. He played defensive end and offensive tackle on the football team, earning all-conference honors as a sophomore. As a junior he finished with 70 tackles and 8 sacks on defense, earning all-conference honors for the second consecutive season. As a senior, Thomas served as team captain on both the football and basketball teams. He finished the season with 85 tackles and 12 sacks on his way to being named defensive player of the year by the coaches association. He once again earned all-conference honors and was named first team all-state at defensive end and second team all-state at offensive tackle. He was also an academic all-American for his performance in the classroom. Joe was considered to be one of the top 20 offensive tackles in the nation. He accepted a scholarship to play for the Wisconsin Badgers where he saw action at tight end on running downs, receiving one start at defensive end in the Music City Bowl. He had 7 tackles on the season. Thomas moved to left tackle as a sophomore where he started all 12 games. He was named honorable mention all-Big Ten and first team academic all-Big Ten. On the track team Thomas set the school’s shot put record with a 62 ¼ foot throw. As a junior, Thomas once again started at left tackle, earning first team all-Big Ten honors. Due to injuries he was forced into action on the defensive side of the ball in the Capital One Bowl. Thomas tore his right ACL while filling in at defensive tackle, ending the possibility of him leaving college early for the NFL draft. Thomas had offseason knee surgery and missed spring practices as a result. He returned to form for his senior season, earning first team all-Big Ten honors in his final season with the Badgers.

Joe Thomas has a great deal of experience at the offensive tackle position having started the past three seasons at left tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten. He has prototypical size for a left tackle in the NFL with a long, lean frame and long arms to help keep defenders at bay. He is over 300lbs as it is, but he does have the frame to bulk up and get even bigger in the future. Thomas is a tremendous athlete who has even made spot starts at tight end, defensive end, and defensive tackle during his time at Wisconsin. He is a very good run blocker who does a good job of finishing his blocks, but he is an even better blindside pass protector. His quick feet, good balance, and near flawless technique make him an ideal left tackle prospect. Thomas has all of the intangibles you could want from a player on your team. He is an extremely hard worker who is constantly trying to improve his game. He is an intelligent player who has been an honor student everywhere he has been and he is a person of impeccable character. The big question when it comes to Thomas is going to be his right knee. He tore his ACL at the end of the 2005 season and had surgery to repair the following offseason. As long as his knee checks out at the combine, he should be a top 5 pick as a player who will start from day one and protect your quarterback’s blindside for the next 10-15 years.