A. J. Thomas (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = A. J. Thomas
| image = A. J. Thomas (51428253710).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Thomas with Western Michigan in 2021
| current_team =Birmingham Stallions
| number =32
| position = Safety
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|9|18}}
| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 214
| high_school = University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy
| college = Western Michigan (2017–2021)
| undraftedyear = 2022
| pastteams =
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2022|2023}})
- Birmingham Stallions ({{UFL Year|2024}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Birmingham Stallions ({{UFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status =Active
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 4
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Pass deflections
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Interceptions
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue5 =
| statlabel6 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue6 =
| statlabel7 = Touchdowns
| statvalue7 =
| pfr = ThomAJ00
}}
A. J. Thomas (born September 18, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Western Michigan.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2
| weight = 214
| dash = 4.60
| ten split = 1.58
| twenty split = 2.64
| shuttle = 4.26
| cone drill = 7.03
| vertical = 33.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 1
| bench = 13
| arm span = 33 1/2
| hand span = 9 5/8
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1025453&DraftYear=2022 |title=A.J. Thomas College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=August 15, 2024}}
}}
= Chicago Bears =
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Thomas was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Roster Moves: Bears sign six undrafted rookies |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-six-undrafted-rookies-2022-minicamp |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Chicago Bears}} He was released on August 30, during the final roster cuts,{{Cite web |last=Wiltfong Jr. |first=Lester |date=August 28, 2022 |title=Chicago Bears cut-down tracker |url=https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2022/8/28/23326089/chicago-bears-53-man-roster-cut-down-tracker-jean-delance-demontre-tuggle-a-j-thomas-kevin-shaa |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Windy City Gridiron}} and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Roster Moves: Bears place 14 on practice squad |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-place-14-on-practice-squad-jersey-numbers |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Chicago Bears}} Thomas was elevated to the active roster on November 29,{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Larry |date=November 29, 2022 |title=Roster Moves: Bears place Mooney, Jackson on IR, sign Thomas to active roster |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-place-mooney-jackson-on-ir-sign-thomas-to-active-roster |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Chicago Bears}} and made his NFL debut on December 4 against the Green Bay Packers, recording one tackle while appearing on 13 snaps.{{Cite web |title=A. J. Thomas Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomAJ00.htm |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
On August 30, 2023, Thomas was waived by the Bears and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears claim Kareem, Johnson off waivers|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-claim-kareem-johnson-off-waivers|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 30, 2023}} He was released on October 29.{{cite web|title=Jaquan Brisker downgraded to out for Sunday night game vs. Chargers|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/jaquan-brisker-downgraded-to-out-for-sunday-night-game-vs-chargers|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=October 29, 2023}}
= Birmingham Stallions =
On February 14, 2024, Thomas signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite news |title=UFL Player Transactions, Wednesday February 14, 2024 |url=https://uflboard.com/news/ufl-player-transactions-wednesday-february-14-2024/ |website=UFLBoard.com |date=February 14, 2024 |access-date=February 15, 2024}} He was named to the 2024 All-UFL team on June 5, 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=UFL Announces Inaugural All-UFL Team |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/2024/june/05/ufl-announces-inaugural-all-ufl-team |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}} His contract was terminated on August 1, 2024.{{cite tweet |user=UFL_PR |title=The #UFL has announced the following transactions: |number=1819130904196870585 |date=August 1, 2024 |access-date=August 1, 2024}}
= New England Patriots =
On August 2, 2024, Thomas signed with the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Oliver |date=2024-08-02 |title=Patriots add All-UFL selection A.J. Thomas to safety depth chart amid series of roster moves |url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2024/8/2/24212044/patriots-sign-safety-aj-thomas-waive-running-back-deshaun-fenwick-tackle-tyrone-wheatley-jr |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Pats Pulpit |language=en}} He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach the 53-Man Roster Limit|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-16-players-place-three-players-on-injured-reserve|website=Patriots.com|date=August 27, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Patriots Sign Seven Players to the Practice Squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-seven-players-to-the-practice-squad|website=Patriots.com|date=August 28, 2024}} He was released on September 16.{{cite web|title=Patriots Sign G Michael Jordan to the 53-Man Roster from the Practice Squad; Announce Additional Practice Squad Moves|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-g-michael-jordan-to-the-53-man-roster-from-the-practice-squad-announce-additional-practice-squad-moves|website=Patriots.com|date=September 16, 2024}}
= Birmingham Stallions (second stint) =
On January 14, 2025, Thomas re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite web |title=UFL Transactions |url=https://uflboard.com/ufl-transactions/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=UFLBoard.com |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://wmubroncos.com/sports/football/roster/a-j--thomas/11871 Western Michigan Broncos bio]
- {{commonscatinline}}
{{2024 Birmingham Stallions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Aj}}
Category:Players of American football from Detroit
Category:American football safeties
Category:University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy alumni
Category:Western Michigan Broncos football players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Birmingham Stallions (2022) players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
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