The University of Alabama, The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame announced on Thursday that they will honor Derrick Thomas with a NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute on September 13th in Tuscaloosa during the game between Alabama and Southern Miss.

During his time at Alabama, from 1985-88, Thomas was considered by many as one of the most dominant pass rushers in college football history. A unanimous All-American and Dick Butkus Award winner, Thomas set the school record for most sacks in a single season (27) and in a career (52), along with tackles for a loss (68) and blocked kicks in a career (5).

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Thomas in the first round, fourth overall, in the 1989 NFL Draft. While a part of the Chiefs organization, Thomas totaled 126.5 sacks, which is the Chiefs all-time record. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl player, recognized as the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner in 1993 and holds the NFL record at seven sacks in a single-game.

"Derrick Thomas changed the way the game is played and how other players at his position are now measured," HOF RB Marcus Allen said. "To me, there is a rare group of players who possess both the will and the innate ability to change the course of a game on every defensive snap, their names are Deacon Jones, Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White and Derrick Thomas."

The NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute program is a hallowed tradition that began in 1951. During the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, each inductee returns to his alma mater to accept a Hall of Fame plaque that will remain on permanent display at the institution. Thomas' mother Edith Morgan will represent Thomas on the field on Saturday night. Coverage of the game will start at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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