Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Rafael Thomas is a senior wide receiver from Lufkin, Texas. He has started for the Mulerider football team for three years and also played on the baseball team last spring. He has completed 104 credit hours with a 3.18 G.P.A. and is a health, kinesiology, and recreation major. He was an All-Gulf South Conference performer in 2010. In 2011 he led the team in receiving before suffering a season-ending injury and missed the last four games. In 2012 he is currently second on the team in receptions with 38 and all-purpose yards with 115 yards a game. He leads the team in punt returns and scoring (54 points).
 
Rafael has been involved in the football team’s Muleriders for Movement program. In this program, student-athletes visit elementary schools in Magnolia interacting with the students and are role models for the youth.    
 
“He is a gifted athlete that is an outstanding young man,” said Head Coach Bill Keopple.