Thomas named preseason All-American

Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas garnered preseason All-America honors on Wednesday as the senior was named to the 2010 College Football Insiders Preseason All-America Third Team.

A Doak Walker Award candidate, Thomas was one of 10 Big 12 players named to the publication's first, second or third team squad.

Thomas, the 2009 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, burst onto the scene in 2009 and led the Big 12 Conference with the fourth-highest rushing total in school history with 1,265 rushing yards and a league-high 11 rushing touchdowns. Thomas' 1,265 rushing yards ranked as the second-highest total by a K-State junior and he became the fourth-fastest player in school history to reach the 1,000-yard plateau in a season (10th game). His 105.4 yards per game ranked 21st in the nation and led the Big 12, while he also tallied five 100-yard rushing games, which were the most since James Johnson recorded five during the 2007 season.

The Hilliard, Fla., product was a versatile piece of the K-State offense in his first season with the Wildcats. His 128.9 all-purpose yards per game ranked fifth in the Big 12 and his 1,547 total all-purpose yards rank tied for 11th in school history for a single season. In addition to his all-purpose yardage, Thomas provided K-State with a "Wildcat" formation threat as the former junior college quarterback was 3-of-4 on pass attempts for 50 yards and a touchdown and one successful two-point conversion pass.

Thomas and the Wildcats will participate in the annual Big 12 Media Days on July 27 before opening the 2010 season September 4 with a nationally-televised matchup with UCLA. Tickets for the opener are going fast but excellent seating locations remain available.