Former Colorado player gets reality check over viral post ahead of Georgia Tech opener

A little over a month ago, Georgia Tech defensive lineman Tawfiq Thomas’ made a viral social media post about his former team. On Monday, the former Colorado Buffaloes transfer justified his remarks. Thomas is dressed in Georgia Tech game day gear from head to toe. Hat, jersey, uniform pants and cleats. However, there were additional elements that take this from a reasonable post to regrettable trolling. The most noticeable is that Thomas is standing in front of a framed poster that shows the final score and stats from Georgia Tech’s 27-20 victory over Colorado last season. This included is a countdown clock to the Week 1 match-up between the Buffs and Yellow Jackets. He tagged CU Football's official account and even made it Shedeur Sanders specific by including audio of Sanders’ “Perfect Timing” song as well as corresponding lyrics. The ploy by Thomas likely did not have the result he was hoping for. It might have been a friendly jab, but it was anything but effective. Perhaps during his time in Boulder, Thomas failed to grasp the built-in Sanders fanbase. Established Buffaloes fans might be less likely to engage a player who is no longer with the program. Sanders fans, on the other hand, are all too happy to check receipts and push back. Following Thomas’ original tweet from July 20, the critics showed up in droves. Some of the comments were of the ‘act like a professional’ variety, while others were much more direct and insulting. Many of the keyboard warriors that patrol social media in an effort to protect Deion Sanders and the Buffs wasted no time responding. Colorado alum Matt McChesney also addressed the post on his Zero2Sixty podcast. “When I said the pride and tradition of the Colorado Buffaloes would not be entrusted to the timid and weak, this is some timid weak s—t right here,” McChesney said on July 25. “And I’m glad he’s not there anymore. And now you can go prove it to him why he couldn’t hack it in Boulder.” Last year, Thomas drew the attention of then CU defensive pass rush coordinator Warren Sapp. When asked about the transition to coaching, Sapp used Thomas as an example of having to adapt his teaching style to different players. “I’ll give you a prime example, and it’s Tawfiq,” Sapp said in a press conference from March of lasy year. “Tawfiq… Oh my God, he drove me crazy. Every day, he’s doing this, he’s doing that. I said, 'Alright son, I’m gonna stop trying to teach you what I know and Ima go with what you know. But what I need from you is be disciplined, not offside, getting off that ball, get in the backfield and penetrate. If you can do that, then you can do all that ahki stuff you like.' He was not coming over to my side, so I had to go over to his. They’re not all the same. He’s the one I let go a little crazy.” Thomas faced the media after practice this week and attempted to walk back his viral moment. “I'm excited. I mean, I get to play the people I was just with. I have a lot of respect for them and the Colorado program. I just can't wait to the first game. I was hurt last year, so I've been out for a little minute. So, I just can't wait to get back on the field and it's just better playing my old team, and just a lot of emotions.” Thomas' words this week play into the idea that he’s just excited about playing football again. “I get to play the people I was just with” doesn’t usually come with a six-part troll job. Him being hurt for a stretch last year is also a reason to not poke the bear. Or buffalo, as it were. Had he been significantly productive last year, the pushback from CU Twitter would have been less. Thomas was only active for four games last season. Three of those games were losses, including the Week One matchup vs. Georgia Tech. His best game was at Utah, where he logged seven tackles and a half tackle for loss. In the Georgia Tech game, Thomas was only able to register two tackles on the day. Making his CU trolling a rather empty gesture. Colorado travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech to kick off the 2026 season. Despite Thomas’ attempt to minimize the impact of his tweet, he has certainly provided the Buffs with bulletin board material they are not likely to forget before the Week 1 matchup on Thursday, September 3 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). More Colorado Buffaloes News:  Deion Sanders says EA Sports wasn't paying enough for College Football 27 Where Colorado ranks in latest college football program valuations Projecting Colorado football's 2026 season using ESPN's FPI Deion Sanders hires ex-NFL players to staff making less than previous ones