Gamecocks freshman Keir Thomas honored back home

South Carolina freshman defensive end Keir Thomas added some well-deserved hardware while at home in Miami.

Thomas was recognized Thursday as the 8A-6A Defensive Player of the Year as part of The Miami Herald’s 2015-16 All-Dade Awards event.

Thomas graduated from Central High early and enrolled at USC in January. In high school he played multiple positions, including nose guard, defensive tackle, defensive end and linebacker. As a senior he counted 22 sacks among his 83 tackles.

The event, sponsored by Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Baptist Health South Florida, the Orange Bowl and the Florida Panthers, drew a crowd of more than 1,200 and honored athletes and coaches in 18 sports.

Thomas (6-1, 255) ended the spring as a second-teamer behind senior Marquavius Lewis.