Stampeders Sign Mississippi Valley State Star, Ronnie Thomas

The Calgary Stampeders signed American CFL rookie, Ronnie Thomas on Wednesday, March 29. Thomas is fresh off a record-setting campaign at Mississippi Valley State.

In 2022 Ronnie Thomas surpassed the Mississippi Valley State single-season sack record by a linebacker with 10.5 sacks over 11 games. The previous record was 9. Thomas also led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in sacks in 2022. He was 4th in sacks in the entire FCS.

Thomas also led the SWAC in tackles for a loss with 18, 15 of which were solo. He was 8th in the FCS in 2022 for tackles for a loss. Thomas was recognized for his performance and named first-team All-SWAC as well as the Phil Steele All-SWAC 1st Team.

Ronnie Thomas lead the team in sacks in as well in 2021 with 6.5 making him 5th in the SWAC. He also added 8 tackles for a loss.

In 2020 Ronnie played 2 games in a year shortened by covid and registered 1 sack.

Thomas began his career at East Central Community College. He contributed 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss in 14 games from 2018 to 2019.

Ronnie Thomas Thomas as of his last game played on November 19, 2022 finished ranked highly in multiple metrics. He was 31st at that time among all active NCAA players in career sacks per game at .75. At that time Thomas was also 10th among all active FCS players in career tackles for a loss per game at 1.13 and 12th in career solo tackles for a loss at 0.92. 

Thomas measures 6 feet tall and 250 pounds. He will turn 23 years old next month.

Stampeders Bring Back Offensive Lineman, Brandon Murphy

The Calgary Stampeders resigned American offensive lineman, Brandon Murphy on Tuesday, March 28. Murphy was signed to the Stampeders late last year and spent the final 4 games on the practice roster.

Murphy was signed to the XFL’s Orlando Guardians in early February but is no longer on the Guardian’s roster.

Brandon Murphy was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 off-season but was released before training camp.

In 2021 Brandon Murphy played for the Sea Lions in the Spring League.

Brandon Murphy had a unique pathway to the CFL. His first season playing football was also his last season of college football playing for the Memphis Tigers in 2018 in the AAC

Before football, Brandon Murphy played center for Indiana State’s basketball team. He played in 114 games over four seasons from 2014-18. Murphy averaged 4.7 points per game over his career. In Murphy’s last season, he had 7.6 points per game and 5.0 rebounds and played 20.9 minutes per game.

Murphy is 6’6” tall, 328 pounds, and 27 years old.