CHEEZ-IT CITRUS BOWL: IOWA VS TENNESSEE

December 30, 2023

Omari Thomas

Camping World Stadium

Tennessee Volunteers

Press Conference

Q. How has your week been?

OMARI THOMAS: My week has been amazing. It has been fun being here in Orlando, getting a chance to hang out with my teammates. Just explore the city. It has been real fun. I love Orlando.

Q. Have you had a favorite thing?

OMARI THOMAS: Favorite thing so far, probably going to Universal [Studios] Island of Adventure, riding the Hulk. My favorite thing for real.

Q. Did you like the bumper cars?

OMARI THOMAS: I love the bumper cars. It has been real fun hanging out with the kids. They just want to have fun. We are doing the same thing, so the bumper cars was good. We rode another little ride. It has been cool.

Q. You've been in such a grind the last few weeks getting ready for Bowl prep, how refreshing is it to step away to something like this today?

OMARI THOMAS: It has been real refreshing just being able to get away from football and still having fun, and being around your teammates, it is amazing. It is a true blessing. I am having fun.

Q. What does it mean to be able to come out here with the community much Orlando and just hang out and have a good time?

OMARI THOMAS: It means a lot to me. I consider myself to be involved with the community a lot. Being able to have this opportunity to come to Orlando and be able to have an impact on the kids in the Orlando community is fun. It is a true blessing to have that opportunity. I am just blessed to be in my position.

Q. More football-related, what has it meant to you to be able to play with Jabari knowing that next year, he won't be there?

OMARI THOMAS: It has meant the world to me. Like Jabari is my brother. It means the world to me. I am excited for him and ready to see what he do. He still going to be supporting to me.

I talk to Jabari every day still, FaceTime, all this. It is going to be sad to see him going, but I am going to be happy to like what he does.

Q. How is the reception out there?

OMARI THOMAS: We are really excited, just hearing about the Camping World [Stadium], it's such a big stadium. We are excited to go out there and play against a good team and have fun. It is the last opportunity for us, this year, new year. Just be able to show who we are as a team.