CFL.ca Staff
WOLFVILLE, N.S. — Jake Thomas hopes to contribute to his team’s improvement from last year’s 4-4 record and a third place finish in the AUS.
Heading into his fourth season, Jake continues to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Josh, who was a multi-year Atlantic conference all-star for the Axemen and the 1998 AUS lineman of the year.
As the senior statesman on the defensive line this year following the graduation of all-Canadian defensive end Adrian Saturley, Thomas, who has dressed in every game for the Axemen since arriving in Wolfville in 2008, will lead an aggressive core of Acadia defenders.
Head Coach Jeff Cummins expects only the best from Jake this season.
“I expect Jake to have a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball in this conference and in the CIS,” says Cummins. “There is a pretty good chance he will play on offense too.”
Strength and skills on the field are just a couple of Jake’s many assets. His leadership on and off the field is surpassed by his classroom results.
In the 2010-11 academic year, Thomas posted a 3.65 GPA, which gave him academic all-Canadian status.
“Jake is a tough and aggressive and above all a smart player who works as hard as anyone I’ve ever had at Acadia over my nine years as head coach,” comments Cummins. “He is a relentless pass rusher, has a great take off and I believe he has the potential to be drafted in the 2012 CFL Draft.”
Deciding to come to Acadia was never much of a decision for the 6-foot-2 senior from Douglas, N.B., even though he insists he was never pressured by his big brother to join the Axemen program.
“Coach Cummins was a very big influence in my decision to come to Acadia,” said Thomas. “When it came down to my final decision I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else after cheering for the Axemen my whole childhood.”
This season, Jake hopes the Axemen can build on last year’s 22-14 AUS semifinal quadruple-overtime road win over Mount Allison.
“Last season’s overtime win against Mount Allison has been my favourite moment thus far in an Acadia uniform. It was a mud bowl that went to multiple overtimes. Everyone was so dirty and tired and excited. It was an awesome moment to be a part of.”
The Axemen will travel to Saint Mary’s for a pre-season contest on September 3rd before kicking off the regular season campaign September 10th in Antigonish versus the StFX X-Men.
Did You Know: Jake’s favourite NFL team is the Buffalo Bills…his favourite current NFL player is Peyton Manning…his favourite food is a Joe’s Food Emporium Nachos with Chilli…the person who has influenced his life the most is his grandfather Joey George (former St. Thomas fullback). His grandfather has always taught him lessons on how to be a great person and how to succeed as an athlete.
-With files from Acadia Sports Information
