Individual defensive statistics were not official in college football until the NCAA started recording them in 2000, but had they been around roughly 20 years before, there is little doubt Ed Thomas would still rank highly on Ouachita's all-time tackle leaderboard today. Though his totals are unofficial, his impact and status as the Tigers' first back-to-back All-American is undeniable.

A native of Lake Providence, Louisiana, Ed was not the first Thomas to leave his mark on the program as a defensive lineman. His older brother, Calvin, began playing for Ouachita in 1978. Ed followed suit the next year, and the two spent a season together before the younger Thomas missed the 1980 campaign. In his sibling's absence, Calvin delivered a junior season performance that earned him First Team All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference recognition. Against Southeastern Oklahoma State, the elder Thomas helped the Tigers force six turnovers and limit their opponents to less than 60 rushing yards, leading to his selection as AIC Athlete of the Week and NAIA District 17 Defensive Player of the Week. When Ed returned in 1981, both brothers were named Honorable Mention All-AIC.

Now a junior in 1982, Ed Thomas faced the challenge of leading Ouachita's defense as the team pursued its first conference title since 1975. Despite lacking the size and numbers of their opponents, as the Ouachitonian's Stephen Bowman pointed out, the Tigers succeeded in their mission. They not only won the AIC but clinched the program's first undefeated conference record and outright championship in over four decades. Thomas made key plays throughout the year to keep that dream alive – from a game-saving tackle with Todd Quick and Scott Jackson on the 3-yard line against Southern Arkansas to two pivotal fumble recoveries in a 28-24 comeback victory over Arkansas Tech.

According to The Oklahoman's Kathy Perovich, the Tiger defensive lineman tallied 145 tackles during the regular season. Thomas was named an NAIA First Team All-American, becoming the fifth and final Tiger to receive the honor. His efforts were a major reason Ouachita entered the 1982 NAIA Playoffs as the No. 8 national seed, setting up a first-round matchup at undefeated Northeastern State. Though the Tigers led 17-16 at halftime, NSU rallied in the final two quarters to claim a 38-23 win. Still, Bowman called 1982 a "storybook season" where Ouachita "stunned observers by making a Cinderella story come true." 

Despite lofty expectations, Thomas nearly matched his junior totals as a senior in 1983, collecting a team-best 139 tackles (per the 1984 Ouachitonian). He was chosen as an NAIA Second Team All-American, making him the first back-to-back football All-American in school history. 

But perhaps Thomas' favorite achievement? Helping Ouachita win four straight Battle of the Ravine games for the first time since 1922.

"It has been a real pleasure in beating Henderson four consecutive times," Thomas told Bowman. "It is something that not too many people can say they have accomplished. It also made the many days of hard work on the field worth it."