DAVIS, Calif. -- When asked to summarize 2021 team co-captain Isaiah Thomas in a few words, UC Davis assistant football coach Evan Hicks does not hesitate with a response: "Energy, everyday. What you think a leader is, that's what Isaiah Thomas is."

For certain, the presence of the managerial economics major from Van Nuys is palpable during the Aggies' preseason practices, which began almost two weeks ago on August 4. On the field, Thomas serves a dual role, both as the team's primary punt returner on special teams and as a boundary safety in Coach Hicks' position group. 

"There are days or times when our team is a little lackadaisical, and it's up to me to get them going," said Thomas. "So I'm definitely the tone-setter and energy-bringer for the team."

"I feel like I've been around the block enough to know how fall camp goes, and I help bring everyone along for the ride so they can figure it out for themselves. I had people like Isiah Olave and Keelan Doss who helped me out, and it''s my job to do the same for the younger guys."

Thomas is one of four Aggie players now in their sixth year of school and entering a fifth year of eligibility, along with defensive tackle Bryce Rodgers, fellow safety Erron Duncan and receivers Jared Harrell and Khris Vaughn. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA did not charge football student-athletes for the 2020-21 season. As such, many players restructured their academic careers, or even extended them with graduate school, in order to take the extra season.

"We're blessed to have him another year," said Hicks, who also praises Thomas' versatility and football IQ. "It's an exciting time for him, and I'm excited to see what he does."

In addition to raising the team's energy levels, Thomas enjoyed perhaps his best individual season during the shortened five-game schedule last spring. He posted a career-high 17 total tackles on defense, while his 10.1 punt return yards per game ranked second in the Big Sky Conference and 11th nationally. Thomas also garnered his first All-Big Sky Conference accolades, making the second team last April, and his first career Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week nod. He also ranks fifth on the school's career list for punt return yards with 476, with Artemus Jones (507 from 1996-99) and even Hall of Famer Mike Ichiyama (641, 1992-94) next in his sights.

"People gravitate toward him because he's very vibrant and super-competitive," Hicks said. "This is a very competitive game, and his energy is contagious. He gets pretty much every practice going, and he breaks us out of our on-field DB meetings and out of our meeting rooms. You can't teach the energy he brings."

NOTES: While Thomas may work his way up the Aggies' career list for punt returns, he is unlikely to supplant the program's all-time leader... Armin Anderson still holds NCAA Division II records for returns in a season (61) and career (165), in part because he refused to take a fair catch during his collegiate career... For comparison, the 2019 FCS leader was James Madison's D'Angelo Amos with 33, while the college football leader was CSU Pueblo's Isaiah Diggs with 40... As such, Anderson compiled 1,176 career punting yards (7.1 per return) in his three seasons from 1983-85... In fact, the team often returns to Thomas' position as a "punt catcher" rather than a "punt returner," as merely corralling the punt – regardless of return yards – dramatically cuts down an opponent's net punting and improves Aggie field position... Anderson starred for UC Davis during head coach Dan Hawkins' stint as an assistant for Jim Sochor.

Note: this is the second of a four-part preseason camp series introducing the 2021 team co-captains.

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