LANCASTER, Pa. (Aug. 12) – Following his performance in his first year as a starter, California (PA) junior linebacker Malachi Thomas was named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List on Wednesday night.

Thomas was featured on the Squad List, which includes 25 players on offense and defense and is equivalent to Honorable Mention recognition. The Elite 100 Watch List also features first and second-team honorees for offense, defense and special teams.

Last year, Thomas ranked among the top 15 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) with 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss (TFL) in his first season as a starter. He also posted 64 tackles (26 solo) with an interception return for a touchdown. Thomas recorded at least 2.0 TFL in a game three times last year, including in a road win over then-No. 4 Slippery Rock, and posted a combined 14 tackles (four solo) in the 2025 NCAA Playoffs.

Thomas has totaled 78 tackles (34 solo) over two seasons with the Vulcans. He initially played basketball at Penn State-Harrisburg during the fall semester of the 2023-24 campaign following his graduation from Milton Hershey.

Cal starts the 2026 campaign by hosting Charleston (WV) on Sept. 3 at Adamson Stadium. The Golden Eagles finished last year with an 8-3 overall record after winning seven of their last eight games.