PREVIOUS COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF ENTRIES: 50 | 49 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 42
Texas Tech's 2016 football season will begin in exactly 35 days with a Sept. 3 kickoff against Stephen F. Austin.
Today, we continue our Countdown to Kickoff series with a notable way the number 35 relates to Red Raider football.
35: Zach Thomas wore No. 35 for the Red Raiders.
Zach Thomas is one of the most decorated defensive players to ever suit up for Texas Tech. The Pampa, Texas product was a three-year starter for the Red Raiders, a two-time first-team All-American and the 1995 Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Thomas, one of just five Red Raiders to earn unanimous All-American honors, made one of the most memorable plays in program history. Late in the fourth quarter of Texas Tech's 14-7 win over No. 8 Texas A&M in 1995, Thomas returned an interception for the go-ahead touchdown.
Following his senior season, Thomas was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth-round of the 1996 NFL Draft. During his 13-year NFL career, Thomas made seven Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors five times.
Thomas was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015 and will almost certainly be inducted into Texas Tech's Ring of Honor at some point in the near future.
Tomorrow: 34 - We look at one of the best recruiting classes in Texas Tech's history.
