Demaryius Thomas was an underrated All-State high school wide receiver who lifted up a traditionally struggling high school program and went on to become an All-America college player and All-Pro NFL player. Thomas had 56 receptions for 756 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior at West Laurens, which finished 6-5, its first winning season in nine years. Georgia High School Football Daily in 2017 named Thomas as West Laurens’ best player in school history. Thomas signed with Georgia Tech as a three-star recruit. Despite playing in an option offense, Thomas made first-team All-SEC and third-team All-American on Georgia Tech’s 2009 ACC championship team under Paul Johnson. He had 46 receptions for 1,154 yards, accounting for 61.1% of Tech’s passing yards. The Denver Broncos drafted Thomas in the first round, 22nd overall, in the 2010 NFL Draft. In his 10-year NFL career, Thomas made five Pro Bowl appearances (2012-16). He started on two Super Bowl teams and one Super Bowl champion (2015 season). Thomas retired with 9,763 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns. Thomas died at age 33 in 2021 from what an autopsy determined were complications from a seizure disorder, which had troubled him since a 2019 car crash. Thomas was inducted posthumously into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
The Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame honors and celebrates the rich history, achievements, and contributions of high school football players, coaches, and supporters across the state.
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