Thomas DeCoud
Encyclopedia
Thomas DeCoud is a safety for the Atlanta Falcons
of the National Football League
. He played college football
for the California Golden Bears
. DeCoud was drafted in the third round by the Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft
.
in Pinole, California
and was a letterman in football
and basketball
. In football, as a senior, he was an All-ACCAL selection. In basketball, he was an All-ACCAL selection. Thomas DeCoud graduated from Pinole High School in 2003.
.
Playing primarily on special teams in 10 games as a rookie, DeCoud recorded 6 tackles (5 solo).
He had a breakout season the next year as he started all 16 games at free safety and compiled 68 tackles (57 solo), 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass deflections and 3 interceptions. After the season, DeCoud received recognition from USA Today, which listed him on its annual "All-Joe" team
.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the California Golden Bears
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
. DeCoud was drafted in the third round by the Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
.
Early years
DeCoud attended Hogan Senior High School in Vallejo, CA, then attended Pinole Valley High SchoolPinole Valley High School
Pinole Valley High School is a high school in Pinole, California, which is located in Contra Costa County. First opened in 1967, the school is part of the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Pinole Valley High serves grades 9–12, and has approximately 1,750 students.The school is noted for...
in Pinole, California
Pinole, California
Pinole is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 18,390 at the 2010 census. It is one of many small “bedroom communities” along the I-80 corridor in Western Contra Costa County. It is located about northeast of San Francisco, and approximately a half-hour...
and was a letterman in football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. In football, as a senior, he was an All-ACCAL selection. In basketball, he was an All-ACCAL selection. Thomas DeCoud graduated from Pinole High School in 2003.
Atlanta Falcons
DeCoud was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
.
Playing primarily on special teams in 10 games as a rookie, DeCoud recorded 6 tackles (5 solo).
He had a breakout season the next year as he started all 16 games at free safety and compiled 68 tackles (57 solo), 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass deflections and 3 interceptions. After the season, DeCoud received recognition from USA Today, which listed him on its annual "All-Joe" team
USA Today All-Joe Team
The USA Today All-Joe team is an annual selection of National Football League players and coaches deemed hard workers and over-achievers that may be overlooked by the biased media...
.