On the same day in which we learned that Chandler Jones would be forgoing his final season with the Syracuse Orange to make a go of it in the NFL, we also got a bit of a surprise when Shamarko Thomas decided to remain at SU for at least one more season.
#SHAMARKO made the announcement via Twitter, which is apparently the only way to do this these days.
@shamarko21ya
shamarko thomas I've decided to put my NFL career on hold for another year and will remain at SU for another season to further develop myself as an athlete
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Thomas finished the 2011 season with 59 tackles, 40 unassisted. He played in all 12 games though he did suffer through multiple injuries along the way. He opened the season with his best game of the season, recording ten tackles.
Color me surprised. Based on the fact that battery mate Phillip Thomas is gone and the way he's been talking since the season ended, I figured #SHAMARKO as a goner. I wondered how much of it was a desire to go pro and how much it was issues behind the scenes. I mean, even his announcement to return to SU seems pained. No rah-rah "Go Cuse" stuff or mentions of team-related goals.
Update: Thomas talks more about returning to Cuse here and proclaims "Cuse is back."
If I had to guess, I'd say that Shamarko probably didn't like what we heard from the NFL Draft projections out there. Another year is sure to do him good in that department. And given the departure of Jones, Phil Thomas and the seniors, it's going to do SU good as well.
Glad to have to back, #SHAMARKO, and not just for the hashtag.