Keir S. Thomas Bio
Keir S. Thomas II is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida State Seminoles before signing with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Thomas has competed in the NFL since 2022 and has contributed primarily on special teams while developing as a depth defensive player.
Early Life and Background
Keir S. Thomas was born on January 25, 1998, in Miami, Florida. He attended Miami Central Senior High School in his hometown, where he played multiple defensive positions including nose guard, defensive end, defensive tackle, and linebacker. He established himself as a dominant high school defender, earning recognition as a PrepStar All-American while recording 71 tackles and 18 sacks as a junior.
Thomas continued his high school success as a senior, making 22 sacks and 83 tackles. Rivals.com ranked him as the 49th-best player in the state of Florida and the 23rd-best strongside defensive end nationally. He earned first-team Class 6A all-state honors and was named the Miami Herald 8A-6A defensive player of the year. His exceptional high school career established him as a nationally recognized defensive prospect.
Path to the NFL
Thomas committed to the University of South Carolina and enrolled in January 2016. He appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman, starting two, and recorded 24 tackles with two sacks. In 2017 as a sophomore, Thomas started 11 of 13 games and contributed 38 tackles and two sacks while playing both defensive end and in the interior of the defensive line. His coaches valued his versatility and reliability along the defensive line.
During his junior season, Thomas played both defensive tackle and defensive end, starting 12 games and making 44 tackles with 1.5 sacks. A significant setback occurred in the fall of 2019 when he suffered an ankle injury that developed into an infection, forcing him to miss nearly the entire season. He appeared in only two games as a redshirt that year, recording four tackles.
Thomas returned in 2020 and emerged as one of South Carolina’s top defensive linemen, recording 32 tackles with three sacks while continuing to battle through prior injuries. He announced his intention to transfer in January 2021 and shortly thereafter committed to Florida State University for his final season of collegiate eligibility.
Keir S. Thomas Career
College Career (2016–2021)
At Florida State in 2021, Thomas demonstrated his best collegiate form. He started all 12 games and established himself as a disruptive force, making 42 tackles including 12 for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 15 quarterback hurries. His performance earned him team captain honors and recognition as a third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. His collegiate career demonstrated his ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line and contributed to two major college football programs.
Professional Career (2022–Present)
Thomas went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft after not receiving an invitation to the NFL Combine. On May 1, 2022, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He impressed throughout training camp and posted a strong performance in the final preseason game, which helped him become one of three undrafted rookies to make the Rams’ final 53-man roster.
Thomas made his NFL regular-season debut in Week 1 of the 2022 season, appearing on one defensive snap and 11 special teams snaps during the Rams’ 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was waived on September 22, 2022, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later. He was promoted to the active roster on December 3, 2022, where he continued to contribute on special teams.
On August 29, 2023, Thomas was waived by the Rams and re-signed to the practice squad. He was signed to the active roster again on November 14, 2023. The following year, on August 27, 2024, he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad once more. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 20, 2025. Thomas was placed on injured reserve on August 19, 2025. On March 11, 2026, he re-signed with the Rams on a one-year contract.
Playing Style and Strengths
Thomas brings versatility along the defensive front, able to play multiple positions from defensive end to interior defensive tackle. His collegiate background at both South Carolina and Florida State demonstrates his ability to adapt to different defensive schemes. He has contributed primarily on special teams at the NFL level while continuing to develop as a defensive player. His experience as a team captain at Florida State reflects leadership qualities valued by the Rams organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Thomas’s journey represents the challenges faced by undrafted free agents trying to establish NFL careers. Making the Rams’ roster as one of three undrafted rookies in 2022 marked a significant achievement. His multiple roster transactions with the Rams demonstrate organizational confidence in his abilities. His career includes multiple practice squad elevations and active roster promotions, showcasing his persistence and value to the team.
Keir S. Thomas Career Statistics
Thomas has appeared in limited NFL games as a special teams contributor for the Los Angeles Rams since 2022. His collegiate career provided more extensive statistical production across two major programs in the SEC and ACC.
Professional NFL Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Thomas has recorded 13 total tackles in his NFL career. His defensive contributions have been limited as he has primarily served on special teams units. The majority of his early NFL experience came during the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Rams.
College Statistics Highlights
At Florida State in 2021, Thomas posted his most productive collegiate season with 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks across 12 starts. His combined college career across South Carolina and Florida State spanned six seasons, during which he accumulated over 180 total tackles and double-digit sacks. He earned third-team All-ACC honors at Florida State and served as a team captain during his final collegiate season.
| Competition Level | Tackles | Sacks | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (Los Angeles Rams) | 13 | 0 | 2022–2025 |
| College (South Carolina/Florida State) | 180+ | 10+ | 2016–2021 |
Keir S. Thomas Family
Personal Life
Thomas was born in Miami, Florida in January 1998 to parents whose names have not been publicly disclosed. He attended Miami Central Senior High School, which has produced several notable college and professional football players. Thomas maintains a public presence on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. He is not known to be married or have children as of available public information.
2025 Season Performance
Prior to the 2025 season, Thomas signed a reserve/future contract with the Los Angeles Rams on January 20, 2025, indicating the team’s continued interest in his development. He participated in the offseason program and training camp as the Rams prepared for the 2025 season. His experience within the Rams organization provided familiarity with the coaching staff and defensive scheme.
Thomas was placed on injured reserve on August 19, 2025, which ended his 2025 season before it began. This injury setback marked a challenging moment in his professional career as he worked toward establishing himself in the NFL. The Rams’ decision to sign him to a reserve/future contract earlier in the year demonstrated their belief in his abilities prior to the injury.
Looking ahead, Thomas re-signed with the Rams on March 11, 2026, on a one-year contract, indicating his return to health and the organization’s continued confidence in his contributions. His journey through roster transactions and injuries reflects the perseverance required for undrafted players to maintain NFL careers. As he prepares for the 2026 season, Thomas aims to remain healthy and compete for a more significant role on the Rams’ defense while continuing his contributions on special teams.