Solomon Thomas
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Solomon Thomas
| image = Solomon Thomas.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Thomas with San Francisco 49ers in 2017
| current_team = Dallas Cowboys
| number = 90
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|08|26}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 295
| high_school = Coppell (Coppell, Texas)
| college = Stanford (2014–2016)
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 3
| pastteams =
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2017|2020}})
- Las Vegas Raiders ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2022|2024}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- 2016 Sun Bowl (MVP)
- Morris Trophy (2016)
- Third-team All-American (2016)
- First-team All-Pac-12 (2016)
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 212
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 18.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 3
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 5
| pfr = ThomSo00
}}
Solomon Christopher Thomas (born August 26, 1995) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was selected third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2017 NFL draft. He has also played in the NFL for the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets.
Early life
Thomas was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 26, 1995. Thomas and his family moved to Sydney, Australia when he was two years old, where he lived for five years.{{cite web|title=2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers select Australian-raised giant Solomon Thomas as third overall pick|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/us-sports/2017-nfl-draft-san-francisco-49ers-pick-australianraised-giant-solomon-thomas-in-third-overall-pick-20170428-gvulcg.html|website=Sydney Morning Herald|date=April 28, 2017|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428101626/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/us-sports/2017-nfl-draft-san-francisco-49ers-pick-australianraised-giant-solomon-thomas-in-third-overall-pick-20170428-gvulcg.html|archive-date=April 28, 2017|url-status=live}} He attended Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas. He had 78 tackles and 12.5 sacks as a senior and 89 tackles with 8.5 sacks as a junior. Thomas was rated as a four-star recruit and was ranked among the top players in his class.{{Cite web |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/11015 |title=Solomon Thomas, 2014 Strongside Defensive End, Stanford |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220152003/https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/11015 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |url-status=live }} He committed to Stanford University to play college football.{{Cite web |last=Mitrosilis |first=Teddy |date=February 5, 2014 |title=Recruit uses live tree, nerd glasses to tell us he's going to Stanford |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/recruit-uses-live-tree-nerd-glasses-to-tell-us-hes-going-to-stanford |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917071435/https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/national-signing-day-solomon-thomas-commits-stanford-cardinal-with-live-tree-020514 |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |website=FOX Sports}}{{Cite web |title=Solomon Thomas 2014 Strongside Defensive End Stanford |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/solomon-thomas-14383?view=pv |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=rivals.com |language=en-US}}
College career
After redshirting his first year with the Stanford Cardinal in 2014, Thomas played in all 14 games in 2015, starting six, and had 39 total tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, and 3.5 sacks.{{Cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/98604/solomon-thomas-leads-a-stanford-defensive-line-through-key-transition |title=Solomon Thomas leading Stanford defensive line through transition |date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220172126/http://www.espn.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/98604/solomon-thomas-leads-a-stanford-defensive-line-through-key-transition |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/19/instead-of-christian-mccaffrey-is-stanfords-best-player-de-solomon-thomas/ |title=Instead of Christian McCaffrey, is Stanford's best player DE Solomon Thomas? |date=October 20, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221120538/http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/19/instead-of-christian-mccaffrey-is-stanfords-best-player-de-solomon-thomas/ |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |url-status=live }} In recognition of his successful 2015 season, he was named as an honorable mention All-Pac-12 Conference selection.{{Citation needed|date=June 2017}} In 2016, Thomas played and started all 13 games and had 62 total tackles with 15.0 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 sacks. Thomas was named first team All-Pac-12 and won the Morris Trophy.{{Cite web |url=http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2016/11/29/mccaffrey-thomas-named-first-team-all-pac-12-football |title=McCaffrey, Thomas named first team all-Pac-12 football |date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221062036/http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2016/11/29/mccaffrey-thomas-named-first-team-all-pac-12-football |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2016/12/13/stanfords-thomas-named-pac-12s-morris-trophy-winner |title=Stanford's Thomas named Pac-12's Morris Trophy winner |date=December 14, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215142108/http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2016/12/13/stanfords-thomas-named-pac-12s-morris-trophy-winner |archive-date=December 15, 2016 |url-status=live }} Following the 2016 season, Thomas declared his intentions to enter the 2017 NFL draft.
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ College statistics | |||
| Season
!Games ! Tackles | TFL | Sack | FF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015
| 14 || 39 || 10.5 || 3.5 || 0 | |||
| 2016
| 13 || 62 || 15.0 || 8 || 1 | |||
| Career || 27 || 101 || 25.5 || 11.5 || 1 |
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Coming out of Stanford, Thomas was projected to be a first round pick by the majority of analysts and scouts. He was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but only chose to participate in the bench press, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump. On March 23, 2017, Thomas attended Stanford's pro day, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed positional drills. He was ranked the second best defensive end (behind Myles Garrett) by NFLDraftScout.com, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated.{{cite web| url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold| title=Ranking the 2017's draft top 100 players| access-date=May 13, 2017| website=ESPN.com| author=Jeff Legwold| date=April 22, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428003954/http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold| archive-date=April 28, 2017| url-status=live}}{{cite web| url=https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings| title=2017 NFL Draft Rankings: Top by Position| access-date=May 13, 2017| website=si.com| author=Chris Burke| date=April 24, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408130206/https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings| archive-date=April 8, 2017| url-status=live}}
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2 5/8
| weight = 273
| dash = 4.69
| ten split = 1.66
| twenty split =
| shuttle = 4.28
| cone drill = 6.95
| vertical = 35
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 6
| bench = 30
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 9 3/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/solomon-thomas?id=2558018|title=Combine Player Profiles – Solomon Thomas|publisher=National Football League|access-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506011141/http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/Solomon-Thomas?id=2558018|archive-date=May 6, 2017|url-status=live}}
}}
=San Francisco 49ers=
Thomas was drafted third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft.{{cite web|title=Niners select Solomon Thomas with third pick|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/niners-select-solomon-thomas-with-third-pick-0ap3000000803305|author=Wesseling, Chris|website=NFL.com|date=April 27, 2017|access-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428111536/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000803305/article/niners-select-solomon-thomas-with-third-pick|archive-date=April 28, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Lyles|first1=Harry|title=Solomon Thomas can be next Michael Bennett for the 49ers|date=April 28, 2017|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/4/27/15415964/solomon-thomas-49ers-nfl-draft-2017|publisher=SB Nation|access-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428023442/http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/4/27/15415964/solomon-thomas-49ers-nfl-draft-2017|archive-date=April 28, 2017|url-status=live}} He became the third consecutive defensive end drafted in the first round by the 49ers, joining Arik Armstead (2015) and DeForest Buckner (2016). The man who drafted Thomas—newly appointed 49ers general manager John Lynch—coincidentally studied alongside Thomas as a mature student while working as a broadcaster for FOX Sports, and counselled Thomas to leave Stanford without knowing he would be in a position to draft him as a member of the 49ers front office the following season.{{Cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2017-nfl-draft-john-lynch-and-solomon-thomas-took-a-stanford-class-together/ | title=2017 NFL Draft: John Lynch and Solomon Thomas took a Stanford class together | date=April 27, 2017 | access-date=October 11, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012094937/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2017-nfl-draft-john-lynch-and-solomon-thomas-took-a-stanford-class-together/ | archive-date=October 12, 2017 | url-status=live }}
On July 28, 2017, the 49ers signed Thomas to a fully guaranteed four-year, $28.14 million contract that included a signing bonus of $18.61 million.{{cite web| title=Spotrac.com: Solomon Thomas contract| url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/solomon-thomas-21744/| access-date=April 6, 2018| website=Spotrac.com| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405212904/http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/solomon-thomas-21744/| archive-date=April 5, 2018| url-status=live}} He played in 14 games as a rookie with 12 starts, recording 41 tackles and three sacks.
On May 1, 2020, the 49ers declined the fifth-year option on Thomas' contract, making him a free agent in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=May 1, 2020 |title=49ers decline fifth-year option on DL Solomon Thomas |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/49ers-decline-fifth-year-option-on-dl-solomon-thomas-0ap3000001112471 |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=NFL.com}} During the 49ers' Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets, Thomas suffered a torn ACL and was ruled out for the rest of the season.{{Cite web |last=Rapp |first=Timothy |date=September 21, 2020 |title=49ers' Solomon Thomas' Injury Diagnosed as Torn ACL, Will Miss Rest of Season |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2909972-49ers-solomon-thomas-injury-diagnosed-as-torn-acl-will-miss-rest-of-season |access-date=24 September 2020 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=23 September 2020 |title=49ers Announce Roster Moves |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-ezekiel-ansah-dion-jordan-place-nick-bosa-solomon-thomas-ir |access-date=24 September 2020 |website=49ers.com}}
=Las Vegas Raiders=
Thomas signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on March 19, 2021.{{cite web|work=Raiders.com|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-dt-solomon-thomas-nfl-free-agency-2021|title=Raiders sign DT Solomon Thomas|date=March 19, 2021|author=Raiders Public Relations|access-date=March 19, 2021}} He played in all 17 games, recording 34 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.{{Cite web |title=Solomon Thomas 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomSo00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=New York Jets=
On March 30, 2022, Thomas signed with the Jets.{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Jets Sign DL Solomon Thomas |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-dl-solomon-thomas |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} He was named a backup defensive tackle behind Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, and Nathan Shepherd. He played in all 17 games, recording 26 tackles, while playing 33% of snaps.{{Cite web |title=Solomon Thomas 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomSo00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Thomas re-signed with the Jets on March 18, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=March 18, 2023 |title=Jets Re-Sign Solomon Thomas |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-re-sign-solomon-thomas |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} He played in 17 games with three starts, recording a career-high five sacks.{{Cite web |title=Solomon Thomas 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomSo00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Thomas re-signed with the Jets again on March 21, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Pullano |first=John |date=March 21, 2024 |title=DL Solomon Thomas Re-signs with Jets |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-re-sign-solomon-thomas-03-21-2024 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} He finished the 2024 season with 3.5 sacks, 26 tackles, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.{{Cite web |title=Solomon Thomas 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomSo00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Dallas Cowboys=
On March 12, 2025, Thomas signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys.{{cite web|title=Cowboys agree to terms with former Jets DT Solomon Thomas|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-agree-to-terms-with-former-jets-dt-solomon-thomas|author=Yarrish, Tommy|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=March 11, 2025}}
NFL statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
! colspan="2" |Legend |
| Bold
|Career high |
= Regular season =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="4" |Tackles ! colspan="4" |Fumbles ! colspan="6" |Interceptions |
| GP
!GS !Comb !Solo !Ast !Sacks !FF !FR !Yds !TD !Int !Yds !Avg !Lng !TD !PD |
|---|
| 2017
!SF |14 |12 |41 |34 |7 |3.0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |
| 2018
!SF |16 |13 |31 |24 |7 |1.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |
| 2019
!SF |16 |3 |21 |15 |6 |2.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |
| 2020
!SF |2 |2 |2 |0 |2 |0.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |
| 2021
!LVR |17 |0 |34 |17 |17 |3.5 |2 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |2 |
| 2022
!NYJ |17 |0 |26 |13 |13 |0.5 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |
| 2023
!NYJ |17 |3 |31 |15 |16 |5.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |
| 2024
!NYJ |11 |0 |18 |9 |9 |2.5 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |
| colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomSo00.htm Career]
!110 !33 !204 !127 !77 !17.5 !3 !1 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !4 |
= Postseason =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="4" |Tackles ! colspan="4" |Fumbles ! colspan="6" |Interceptions |
| GP
!GS !Comb !Solo !Ast !Sacks !FF !FR !Yds !TD !Int !Yds !Avg !Lng !TD !PD |
|---|
| 2019
!SF |3 |0 |4 |4 |0 |1.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |
| 2021
!LVR |1 |0 |1 |1 |0 |0.0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |
| colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomSo00.htm Career]
!4 !0 !5 !5 !0 !1.0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 |
Personal life
Thomas's older sister died by suicide in 2018 at the age of 24. He founded "The Defensive Line", a nonprofit organization aiming to reduce youth suicide.{{Cite web |last=Mullin |first=Eric |date=September 27, 2023 |title=Jets' Solomon Thomas honors late sister with mission to fight youth suicide |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/nfl/new-york-jets-solomon-thomas-defensive-line/4718883/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=NBC - New York}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons}}
- {{Twitter}}
- [https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/players-roster/solomon-thomas/ Dallas Cowboys profile]
- [http://www.gostanford.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7752 Stanford Cardinal profile]
{{Dallas Cowboys roster navbox}}
{{Navboxes|title=|list=
{{Anthony Muñoz Award}}
{{Morris Trophy}}
{{2017 NFL Draft}}
{{49ersFirstPick}}
{{49ers2017DraftPicks}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Solomon}}
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Sportspeople from Coppell, Texas
Category:Players of American football from Chicago
Category:Players of American football from Dallas County, Texas
Category:Players of American football from Denton County, Texas
Category:Coppell High School alumni
Category:Stanford Cardinal football players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players
Category:Las Vegas Raiders players