CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A dynamic defender with a natural knack of finding the football has obtained an elite title ahead of the mid-year signing period. 

Keaton Thomas, who had a breakout year at Northeast Mississippi Community College, earned first-team All-American honors from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). 

"It's just a surreal moment," said Thomas. "I couldn't have done it without my teammates or my coaches or the support of the community. I came here and solidified myself as a very good ball player. 

"When I first stepped on campus, the first thing I did with my phone is I went into my notes and I typed my number one goal as juco All-American. That's another check mark off my goal list." 

Thomas secured this prestigious award following his lone campaign with the Tigers. He transferred to Northeast from West Virginia University and made an instant impact in its linebacking corps. 

He led the entire NJCAA, both Divisions I and III, with 11.9 tackles per game. His 107 total stops were second in the country behind only Travion Barnes, who played in 11 contests at Georgia Military College compared to Thomas' nine. 

It is the second consecutive year that a Northeast linebacker procured NJCAA All-American distinction. Thomas follows in the footsteps of Triston Newson, who started in the final two games of the regular season at the University of Missouri. 

"Keaton was a professional from day one," Tigers head coach Greg Davis said. "He used this as an opportunity to become a better version of himself. He approached everything with maturity and poise. He's an absolutely outstanding young man on-and-off the field. He plays relentless and gives you everything he's got." 

The Jacksonville, Fla., native is the fourth player on record in program history to rack up more than 100 tackles in a single campaign. He finished in a tie with Newson for second most at Northeast behind LP Spence, who had 116 stops in 2000. 

Thomas posted double-digit tackles in all but one matchup for the Tigers. He had 15 or more takedowns three times, including in Northeast's home finale win over Coahoma Community College. 

The 6-2, 230-pounder added a team-best nine tackles for loss plus 1.5 sacks, two interceptions and two pass break ups. He also blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown in the Tigers' season opening victory versus Hinds Community College. 

Thomas was the beneficiary of another blocked punt against Mississippi Delta Community College. He picked up the loose ball and sprinted eight yards across the goal line for his inaugural touchdown at the collegiate level. 

He was recognized as the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) Player of the Week after accounting for a career-high 16 tackles, including 11 solo stops, during Northeast's triumph at Pearl River Community College. 

Thomas was one of only seven athletes in all two-year college organizations, including the independent California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A), to produce triple-digit tackles during the 2023 campaign. 

He recently committed to Baylor (Texas) University of the Big 12 Conference after receiving offers from more than 30 NCAA Division I members with 10 coming from Power Five institutions. 

Thomas is a consensus three-star talent according to recruiting services 247 Sports, Rivals and On3. He is the sixteenth All-American selection from the NJCAA in school history and the eighth in the last 13 full seasons.