University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Andrew Thomas
August 06, 2018 | Football, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Football is back and that means the return of the weekly Quick Chat with one of the Bulldogs. To kick off the start of preseason practice, I sat down with Andrew Thomas.
The 6-foot-5 and 320-pound sophomore started every game at right tackle during the Bulldogs' run to the National Championship Game, earning multiple Freshman All-America Team honors. The native of Lithonia, Ga., is expected to take over at left tackle this season, replacing New England Patriots first-round pick Isaiah Wynn.
During our chat, Thomas talked about his summer, the challenges of going through life when you're his size and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:Â
Frierson: What was the best part of your summer?
Thomas: I'd probably say the Georgia Way, the trip we took to Atlanta to network with a lot of different companies.
Frierson: How comfortable are you in those kinds of situations, where you're in a suit and you're meeting a lot of important people?
Thomas: Last year was my first year going and I was a little nervous, because I didn't know what to expect. This year, I was comfortable and just talked to people like it was a regular day.
Frierson: I'm looking at the media guide and you're listed at 6-5, 320. What's it like going through life being that big? I'm sure there have to be ups and downs to it, but most of us can't relate to some of the things you have to deal with.
Thomas: It's pretty difficult at times. I remember being young, especially when I first started to hit my growth spurt around the beginning of high school, I remember my mom complaining about how often she had to buy me new shoes because I would grow out of them so fast. With clothes it was the same way, because I would grow out of them so quickly.
Frierson: What about staying in hotels on road trips, do you get a bigger bed or do you just have to curl up in the fetal position?
Thomas: You have to just curl up. In the dorms we can get extended beds, and I have one of those and they're pretty good, but in hotels, the beds are a pretty nice size, but they could always be bigger.
Frierson: What's something from your childhood that you really miss?
Thomas: I miss playing baseball. I played it all the way up to ninth grade, when I had to stop to focus on football.
Frierson: What position did you play?
Thomas: I played first and third.
Frierson: Were you any good?
Thomas: I was pretty good, yeah.
Frierson: Do you watch much baseball on TV?
Thomas: I don't, it's pretty boring — but I miss playing it, though.
Frierson: What's the most creative thing you do, or wish you could do?
Thomas: The most creative thing I do is music, I'm learning to play the piano. I was in a band in high school and played percussion, so I'm trying to learn the piano now.
Frierson: You were in a band or the band?
Thomas: I was in the band at the school.
Frierson: Did you come out at halftime in your football gear and perform with the band?
Thomas: That's the thing, we didn't have a marching band, they just stayed in the stands. (Laughs) No, I didn't come out in my uniform and play.
Frierson: That would be a great image, though.
Thomas: It would, with the shoulder pads on and everything.
Frierson: Is there one song you're already nailing on the piano?
Thomas: There's a song, "Ribbon In the Sky" by Stevie Wonder.
Frierson: Do you sing, as well?
Thomas: Um, I don't know about that one (laughs). I'm still working on that one.
Frierson: Who's the most talented guy on the team, beyond football? Is there a guy where you're like, he can do this, do that?
Thomas: Right now I would say (tight end Wix Patton) and (defensive back Tyrique McGhee), with the rapping they're pretty talented.
Frierson: Does it feel like we're at the point of the first days of practice? Did it feel like the summer just flew by?
Thomas: To me, personally, the summer was actually pretty long, with the workouts and stuff like that. I'm excited to get back to the actual football aspect of things.
Frierson: Who was the first football player that you really looked up to, maybe had a poster on your wall, if kids still do that?
Thomas: When I was young I used to play linebacker, so it was Ray Lewis.
Frierson: Is there something that most of your teammates and friends are into that you just don't get?
Thomas: I get it, but I would say video games. I don't have a video game system; I play every blue moon with friends, but they'll play for hours. Like the game Fortnite, it's one of the biggest things and they'll play all day. I'll sit there and watch sometimes and be like, how can you play this all day long? ... Then I'll see them watching other people play on YouTube and I just don't get it.
Frierson: Is there anything you like to watch regularly on YouTube?
Thomas: I'll watch piano tutorials, I'll watch football, like highlights, comedians and a lot of other stuff.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
