University of Tennessee Athletics
Omari Thomas Selected To NCAA Division I Football Student-Athlete Connection Group
February 27, 2024 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee senior defensive tackle Omari Thomas has been selected to the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Connection Group, representing the Southeastern Conference.
With the goal of receiving more feedback from student-athletes, the Division I Football Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Connection Group was formed in 2019. The group will meet routinely to engage with leadership on initiatives surrounding today's student-athlete experience.
"This is a really cool experience," Thomas said. "Just to know what my peers and the SEC office think of me to be in this position is a blessing. I try to carry myself in a positive way every day. To represent Tennessee and the SEC at the highest level of student-athlete leadership is something I am very grateful for."
Thomas currently serves as Tennessee's representative on the SEC's Football Leadership Council, a post he has held since 2022. He also serves on the Vols' football leadership council and been an active voice in the locker room.
"One of the main things I have learned is that you have to be able to listen to be a leader," Thomas said. "A lot of times, you see leaders who just want to force things on you but not take in what the people you are leading have to say. People who you are leading have great ideas as well. You are not the only person who is supposed to have good ideas.
"Learning and listening allows you to build connections with more people. People will look at you knowing you want what's in the best interest of the group not just yourself. What can we do as a team to all be better?"
Thomas, a Memphis native pursuing his degree in journalism and electronic media, will go through his fifth spring practice with the Vols beginning on March 18. He enters his fourth season as a starter and has accumulated 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, eight pass breakups and 10 quarterback hurries.Â
With the goal of receiving more feedback from student-athletes, the Division I Football Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Connection Group was formed in 2019. The group will meet routinely to engage with leadership on initiatives surrounding today's student-athlete experience.
"This is a really cool experience," Thomas said. "Just to know what my peers and the SEC office think of me to be in this position is a blessing. I try to carry myself in a positive way every day. To represent Tennessee and the SEC at the highest level of student-athlete leadership is something I am very grateful for."
Thomas currently serves as Tennessee's representative on the SEC's Football Leadership Council, a post he has held since 2022. He also serves on the Vols' football leadership council and been an active voice in the locker room.
"One of the main things I have learned is that you have to be able to listen to be a leader," Thomas said. "A lot of times, you see leaders who just want to force things on you but not take in what the people you are leading have to say. People who you are leading have great ideas as well. You are not the only person who is supposed to have good ideas.
"Learning and listening allows you to build connections with more people. People will look at you knowing you want what's in the best interest of the group not just yourself. What can we do as a team to all be better?"
Thomas, a Memphis native pursuing his degree in journalism and electronic media, will go through his fifth spring practice with the Vols beginning on March 18. He enters his fourth season as a starter and has accumulated 88 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, eight pass breakups and 10 quarterback hurries.Â
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