Bryan Thomas Jr.

Bryan Thomas Jr., who has two siblings, grew up in a football family. His father (Bryan Sr.) was a pass rusher at UAB and a first-round pick (No. 22 overall) of the New York Jets in the 2002 NFL Draft. He collected 455 tackles and 33.5 sacks over 11 seasons with the Jets (2002-12). The family relocated from Randolph, N.J., to Florida, where Bryan Thomas Jr. enrolled at Foundation Academy in Winter Garden (his father joined the football staff as an assistant). As a senior, he posted 25 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, while also playing running back. A three-star recruit, he collected offers from programs in the Big Ten (Maryland, Minnesota) and ACC (NC State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech) but opted for his lone SEC offer (South Carolina). After playing a part-time role for three seasons, he became a full-time starter as a senior and led the team in pressures (38) and sacks (seven). Ungraded as a draft prospect by NFL teams entering the 2025 season, Thomas forced scouts to reevaluate their summer reports with his performance. He doesn’t have ideal build or length, by NFL standards — including a questionable anchor to consistently shut down the edges. But he is quick off the ball, with adequate body flexibility to maneuver around blockers and find the football. As a pass rusher, his counters are elementary, but his quick jab steps and rush angles help him pierce gaps. Overall, Thomas is a try-hard rusher with average physical traits, but he has a revving motor that leads to production. BEST OF THE REST NAME SCHOOL HEIGHT WEIGHT 40 YD 20 YD 10 YD VJ BJ SS 3-CONE BP HAND SIZE ARM LENGTH WING SPAN 47 ERIC O'NEILL Rutgers 6021 247 4.81 2.81 1.69 35 1/2 9'9" 4.40 7.38 27 9 5/8 31 76 1/4 48 NATHAN VOORHIS Ball State 6027 251 4.76 2.72 1.70 37 9'10" 4.59 7.45 22 9 1/2 32 1/8 80 3/8 49 JOSHUA WERU Kenya (IPP) 6040 244 4.45 2.62 1.59 41 11'02" DNP DNP 18 9 1/4 33 1/4 79 3/4 50 DANIEL RICKERT Virginia 6005 236 4.65 2.70 1.65 33 09'08" 4.52 6.90 22 9 3/8 30 1/8 73 3/4 51 WE