 | Richard Thomas, Outside Linebacker | ILL |
| Current/Potential | TAK | SACK | STUFF | INT | TD |
| 71/84 | | | | | | Illinois Illini |
|
| Attributes |
| Morale: | Content |
| Height: | 6-0 |
| Weight: | 250 |
| Ideal Wt: | 251 |
| Jersey: | 54 |
| Age: | 24 |
| Year: | () |
| Status: | OK |
| Energy: | 0 |
| HS Ranking: | #74 |
| Pos Ranking: | #8 OLB |
|
| Position Ratings |
| Pass Rush Moves: | 89 |
| Point of Attack: | 72 |
| Hands: | 47 |
| Tackling: | 84 |
| Coverage: | 70 |
| Punt Return: | 10 |
| Kick Return: | 14 |
| Durability: | 63 |
| Endurance: | 71 |
| Adaptability: | 74 |
|
| Athletic Ratings |
| Arm Strength: | 7 |
| Acceleration: | 35 |
| Agility: | 59 |
| Speed: | 67 |
| Strength: | 46 |
| Jumping: | 48 |
| Instincts: | 71 |
| Aggressiveness: | 61 |
| Discipline: | 31 |
| Intelligence: | 58 |
| Work Ethic: | 93 |
|
| Personal Bests |
| Tackles: | 16 |
| |
| Sacks: | 3 |
| |
| Stuffs: | 5 |
| |
| Interceptions: | 1 |
| |
| TD: | 0 |
| |
|
| Game Logs |
| Week | Opp | Res | Tak | Solo | Ast | Sack | Stuf | Hur | DP | FF | PD | Int | TD | MT | OOP |
|
| Defensive Statistics |
| Year | GP | GS | Tak | Solo | Ast | Sack | Stuf | Hur | DP | FF | PD | MT | OOP | BPA | |
| 2023 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - |
| 2025 | 13 | 13 | 132 | 101 | 31 | 13 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 2026 | 13 | 13 | 122 | 92 | 30 | 3 | 22 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | - |
| 2027 | 13 | 13 | 114 | 95 | 19 | 13 | 23 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 5 | - |
| Total | 45 | 41 | 375 | 292 | 83 | 29 | 72 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 7 | - |
|
| Turnover Statistics |
| Year | GP | GS | Ints | Yds | Avg | RecF | Yds | Avg | TD | | | | | | |
| 2025 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 20 | 6.7 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2027 | 13 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 45 | 41 | 4 | 20 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
| Scouting Report | Potential |
| Coaches feel he has a knack for rushing the QB and will be a disruptive force in the future. He's got the potential to develop some outstanding agility which will greatly benefit his play. With better technique, his ability to cover passes will become a huge asset for any team. Over time he is expected to develop a solid feel for the game. |
|
| Player Awards |
| Named National First Team (2025) |
| Named First Team All-Big Ten (2025) |
| Named Big Ten Defensive POY (2025) |
| Named First Team All-Big Ten (2026) |
| Named National First Team (2027) |
| Named First Team All-Big Ten (2027) |
| Named Big Ten Defensive POY (2027) |
|