FSU’s Matthew Thomas to Miss Independence Bowl

Yet another key piece of the Florida State defense will be unavailable for next week’s Independence Bowl.

According to interim head coach Odell Haggins, senior linebacker Matthew Thomas will sit out the Dec. 27 contest against Southern Mississippi.

Thomas is FSU’s leading tackler this season with 85 total stops, including 10 for loss and two sacks. Thomas also had a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception during what will be his final year in Tallahassee.

Once a 5-star recruit out of South Florida, Thomas was the victim of family tragedy, injuries and self-inflicted wounds that kept him off the field early on. Thomas had a monster Orange Bowl last season in a 33-32 win over Michigan with a career-high 15 total tackles and 3.5 for loss.

Thomas joins safety Derwin James and defensive end Josh Sweat, who each declared early for the NFL Draft, as players who will miss the contest in Shreveport. The Seminoles will also be without wide receiver Ermon Lane, a senior, but there is speculation that academics were a factor with Lane.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson