Matthew Thomas hasn't played this season due a suspension for a violation of team rules. Jimbo Fisher had vehemently denied that Thomas was suffering from an ankle injury, but he wasn't.
At his press conference on Monday, Fisher said he is hoping Thomas will be available for the Notre Dame game. However, the head coach is waiting to hear back from the NCAA on his eligibility.
His suspension is thought to come at the national championship game. Thomas was hurt at the time, but any player his eligible to be drug tested. Tests administered from the NCAA, such as bowl game testing, carried a suspension of a full year for a positive test. However, as of Aug. 1, 2014, positive drug tests of street drugs have been reduced to half a season. Under the new rules, suspensions can be appealed retroactively.
Thomas finished the 2013 season with four tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack before receiving a medical redshirt for a shoulder injury. Entering college, Thomas was a five-star commit.
