Football | 11/29/2022 11:00:00 AM

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Mississippi Valley State University football program saw one of its best individual defensive seasons of all-time rewarded as linebacker / defensive end hybrid Ronnie Thomas was voted to the All-Conference First Team by the league's sports information directors and head coaches.
 
Thomas, a senior from Clinton, Mississippi and former East Central Community College transfer, gained national notoriety by breaking the program record for most sacks in a single season by a linebacker with 10.5.
 
The C Spire Conerly Trophy Finalist recorded at least a half-sack in eight of the team's 11 contests, finishing the year with the sixth-best sacks per game average in the FCS and best mark in the SWAC (0.95).
 
An alumnus of Clinton High School, he had 0.5 tackles for loss or more in every game outside of the Thursday night matchup with Alabama A&M, slotting ninth nationally and second conference-wide for tackles for loss per game (1.6).
 
Thomas led the Delta Devils in tackles for loss (18), sacks (10.5), quarterback hurries (3), and forced fumbles (1) while securing the third-most total tackles on the team (58) plus two pass breakups while starting in all 11 matchups.
 
Coach Dancy and the Devils concluded the regular season on a strong note, winning two of its final three games with a ten-point win over AAMU on ESPN U and a massive 20-point upset of Prairie View A&M that knocked the Panthers out of the SWAC Championship, ending their year.
 
Follow the Mississippi Valley State football program on Twitter (@ValleyStateFB) and Instagram (@ValleyStateFB).
 
Follow the Delta Devils and Devilettes on Facebook (Mississippi Valley State Athletics), Twitter (@MVSUDevilSports) and Instagram (@MVSUDevilSports).