Thomas Selected in Third Round by Cleveland

DALLAS — Chad Thomas became the first Miami Hurricane selected in the 2018 NFL Draft Sunday night when Cleveland picked the defensive lineman in the third round.

Thomas, who was the 67th overall selection in the draft, totaled 103 tackles and 11.0 sacks in a standout four-year career at The U. He extended the University of Miami’s streak to 44 straight years with at least one player selected in the NFL Draft, marking the longest streak in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

A Miami native, Thomas set career highs in tackles (41), tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (5.5) in his final season with the Hurricanes. He started all 13 games in 2018 and helped lead Miami to the first ACC Coastal Division championship in program history and an appearance in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

Thomas, who played in 49 of a possible 52 games during his career, was a key member of a defensive line that helped lead the Hurricanes to a No. 1 national ranking in team sacks per game and a No. 4 national ranking in team tackles for loss per game.

Thomas was the first Hurricane selected by Cleveland since David Njoku was taken in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the 29th overall pick. Thomas would become the fourth Hurricane on the Browns active roster, joining Njoku, Duke Johnson and Marquez Williams.

The NFL Draft continues Saturday with Rounds 4-7.