Chop Chat FSU Football 2017 Awards: Most Improved

FSU football has completed another regular season of action – and we at Chop Chat are here to hand out awards from the 2017 campaign.

Over the 12 games that took place in the 2017 regular season for FSU football, there were star performances on both sides of the ball from players that have shined during their time in Tallahassee – as well as those who made quite the first impression during their inaugural season wearing the garnet and gold.

At the same time, there were a few players who showed tremendous growth over the course of the year for the Noles and showed up when the team needed them the most. Whether it was a player who came back from injury or someone that was finally playing up to their level of expectation, several players fit into the category of those who improved from one year to the next.

For the Seminoles, there was one player this season who saw his numbers go up slightly from the season before – but it was his leadership ability and the way he played that finally gave Florida State fans a glimpse at the five star talent he brought with him into the school – and it’s the reason he was named the Chop Chat FSU Football 2017 Most Improved Player.

LB Matthew Thomas (Redshirt Senior – Miami, FL)

Season stats – 85 tackles (10 for loss) with two sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery for a touchdown

By now, the story of Thomas’ time in Tallahassee has been well documented as the former five star recruit from Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School spent the first three years on campus dealing with injuries, the personal tragedy that came with the death of his mother and trying to maintain his eligibility to avoid being considered a major bust.

In 2016, Thomas came out of his funk and became more of a dependable player. This season, he ended up becoming one of the leaders on the FSU football defense. After coming up with 10 tackles in the opener, Thomas missed the NC State game with a back injury before returning for 10 tackles in his next game against Wake Forest to go along with his two sacks.

Thomas’ best moments were a four game stretch in the middle of the season where he had double digit tackles three times – as well as a scoop and score against Louisville. Thomas had his first career interception against Florida – which he could have scored on, but dropped to a knee just short of the goal line.

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It was the second time he missed a chance at a score after missing a scoop and score against Clemson, but he showed his growth and maturity by not playing down to the moment. He won’t be the first former FSU football player picked in next April’s NFL Draft, but you can be willing to bet he will be heading to the pros and continuing his growth as a player and a person.