PHOTO/TROY HULL

Johnson C. Smith free safety Carlo Thomas leaps for an interception against Shaw October 24 at McGirt Field. Thomas, a sophomore, leads all NCAA divisions with 10 interceptions, including seven in the last two weeks. He set a JCSU record with four picks and two returns for touchdowns against Fayetteville State on October 17.

Carlo Thomas has big-play fever.

The Johnson C. Smith free safety has seven interceptions over the last two games – both wins – and leads all college football divisions with 10 picks. He snared a school-record four against Fayetteville State October 17, returning a pair for touchdowns.

“It’s unbelievable,” Thomas said after a three-interception effort in JCSU’s 17-10 win against Shaw last week.  “I can’t believe it. It’s coming from hard work. Me and my team are playing hard and I’m still making big plays, so I keep planing on making big plays and we’re getting it done.”

Thomas’ streak has spread to his defensive mates. The lone interception that wasn’t picked off by Thomas went  to defensive end Jamaal Tutt, whose 21-yard return for a touchdown proved to be the winning margin.

“It’s just another play,” said Tutt, a sophomore who plucked Terrence Shambray’s pass out of the air for his first college interception. “My other defensive end, Bryce Smith, tipped the ball up and I saw the ball in the air and caught it. I looked straight into the end zone and kept running.”

Said Thomas: “All week he’d been saying I’m going to get a pick like you and take it to the house. He did it and I’m proud of him.”

Thomas, a sophomore, has brought big-play capability to JCSU’s secondary. His range and instincts allow him to patrol the middle of the field, while his hands allow him to turn errant passes into interceptions.

“Carlo is having a phenomenal year, but he’s such an athlete, he can see things happening before other people can,” Golden Bulls coach Kermit Blount said.
Thomas snared three picks against Shaw,  but his most vital play wasn’t an interception. His hit on Bears receiver Trevante Long in the end zone on the final drive averted a potential game-tying touchdown.

“Carlo is a gift from God,” said linebacker Austin Jacques, one of the nation’s top tacklers. “On and off the field he does what he has to do in the classroom, he does what he has to do on the field. He’s not always a man of many words, but when he speaks it’s always meaningful and he always comes to play. It’s an honor to play with him.”

With Thomas and Jacques leading the way, JCSU’s defense is far better than the unit that allowed 32.9 points per game last season. The results have been especially good the last couple of weeks because JCSU has forced eight turnovers while the offense has limited its mistakes to an interception. The Golden Bulls have three interception returns for scores during that span.

With the best season ever for a JCSU defensive back, Thomas is likely to merit conversation for All-America honors at season’s end. Jacques, who earned All-America last year, believes they’re worthy.

“Without question,” Jacques said. “As long as we keep working hard, all-America caliber is what we are and what we strive for.”

Thomas is  low-key about postseason accolades. His goal is playing hard enough to help his team win.

“I play humble,” he said. “I don’t get too cocky or whatever. I know my athletic abilities so I play humble, I play as a team, I play for my brothers on the offense and defense.”

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