Rising Star Isaiah Thomas Shines on the Field

Isaiah Thomas, a former two-way star at Kingston High School, has made a significant impact in his sophomore season at Utica University. Known for his versatility and dedication, Thomas was recently honored with a spot on the Empire 8 Football All-Conference team. His performance this season has solidified his reputation as one of the most active defenders in the conference.

Outstanding Defensive Performance

As a middle linebacker, Thomas recorded an impressive 95 total tackles during the 2025 season. This placed him third in the league in total tackles. He was just three tackles away from tying Utica’s single-season program record of 98. Thomas’s contributions included 33 solo takedowns, 5 1/2 tackles for losses, three quarterback hurries, one interception, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery.

Thomas’s standout performance earned him a place on the D3football.com Team of the Week following his week one game against Washington & Jefferson College. In that match, he made eight solo tackles, contributing to a 49-31 victory. His career-high 17 tackles in a 27-21 win over Morrisville further highlighted his growing influence on the field.

Recognition and Achievements

Thomas was selected to the Empire 8’s third-team all-star unit, marking his first career all-conference honor. During his freshman season, he was named Utica’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. At Kingston High, he was a first-team Freeman Football All-Star as a running back, where he led the Tigers with 716 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He also had 156 receiving yards and passed for 143 yards when he took over quarterback duties in the final two games.

Despite his success as a running back, Thomas played exclusively as a middle linebacker for Utica in 2025. His defensive skills were instrumental in helping the Pioneers achieve an 8-3 record.

A Journey of Growth and Determination

In a phone interview with the Freeman, Thomas expressed his satisfaction with his sophomore season, which followed a freshman campaign where he played in three games. “It all came out of nowhere for me,” he said. “I came into training camp splitting reps and not even being the starter fully.”

Thomas earned the starting nod after a strong showing in the preseason camp. His performance against Washington & Jefferson set the tone for the season, and he quickly became one of Utica’s most reliable tacklers. His defensive prowess helped the team secure key victories, including a 41-14 win over RPI in the home opener.

The Road to Success

After a 5-5 season the previous year, Utica started strong by defeating nationally-ranked Washington & Jefferson on the road and then beating RPI in their home opener. The team went on to win five straight games, reaching an 8-2 record before a narrow loss to Rowan University in the Asa S. Bushnell Bowl.

Thomas attributed his improved performance to several factors, including learning the scheme and adapting to the speed of college football. “It was more a mental thing and getting used to being away from home,” he said.

Building a Strong Foundation

Thomas credited his time at Kingston High under former head coach Quintin Johnson for preparing him for college football. “I played both ways in high school, so I was exhausted,” he said. “Now at college, I only have to prepare for one side of the football. I’m more mentally tough for the things that I went through at Kingston.”

He emphasized the importance of the coaching staff at Kingston, who instilled valuable lessons that proved essential in his college career. “All those things the coaches were saying in high school turned out to be true because they lived it too,” Thomas added.