Offensive tackle Joe Thomas is a Wisconsin legend, but coming out of high school his plans didn't include the Badgers. It's hard to imagine Thomas going anywhere else now, after an incredible run in Madison that led into a Hall of Fame NFL career, but it turns out the lineman initially had other thoughts.
"I had the grass in greener mentality in high school," Thomas explained in an interview with Carson Fowler. "The idea of going to USC, Miami, Notre Dame, Nebraska was like, 'Wow, that'd be awesome.'"
Joe Thomas initially thought he'd be leaving Wisconsin for his college football career
The Brookfield native had always been a Wisconsin Badger fan growing up, but the allure of going someplace different was a strong pull. But as it turns out, the more Thomas visited other schools, the more he realized there was nowhere better than staying put in Madison.
"The funny thing about Wisconsin is you go somewhere else and you realize how awesome it is right here at home," Thomas said. "Everything that I was looking for in a school, from great academics, great network from the alumni, an incredible football program, great development of offensive lineman, great social scene...this has everything that I want."
Thomas went on to have an illustrious NFL career after getting selected third overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, the second-highest ever selection of a former Badger. Largely regarded as one of the best offensive lineman in history, it all started at Wisconsin for Thomas despite his initial thoughts on heading out of state.