Justin Thomas was a two-time NAIA All-American gridder for the Saints, earning second team in 1999 and first team in 2000.
His first two seasons, under coach Petrino, he served as a running back and special teams player. But it was at wide receiver under coach Van Diest that he flourished.
The 6-2, 190-pounder left Carroll with at least six school receiving records, including 14 catches for 219 yards in a game, 114 catches for 1,188 yards in a season and 256 catches for 3,846 yards for a career.
His reception marks for a game, season and career still stand.
“Justin is the type of student-athlete I want to represent Carroll College,” coach Van Diest told the IR in 1999. “He is that in every aspect. He’s an outstanding student and he’s our go-to guy on the football field.
“Justin always has a smile on his face, and he exemplifies the type of attitude we want to have here on the football team.”
