Thayer Rockne Thomas Bio
Thayer Rockne Thomas (born May 20, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack from 2017 to 2022 and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Thomas has also spent time with the Denver Broncos organization and is the older brother of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas.
Early Life and Background
Thayer Rockne Thomas was born on May 20, 1998, in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He attended Heritage High School in Wake Forest, where he developed into a promising wide receiver during his high school career. In his time at Heritage High School, Thomas recorded 74 receptions for 965 yards and 7 touchdowns, demonstrating the receiving skills that would define his collegiate career.
Path to Professional Football
After graduating from Heritage High School, Thomas made the decision to walk on to the football program at North Carolina State University. He redshirted during the 2017 season, using that year to adapt to the college level and develop his skills within the Wolfpack system. His dedication and performance earned him a scholarship starting in 2018, a testament to his work ethic and potential as a playmaker.
Thayer Rockne Thomas Career
College Career at NC State (2017–2022)
Thomas played five seasons for the NC State Wolfpack, establishing himself as one of the most productive receivers in program history. Over his collegiate career, he recorded 215 receptions for 2,484 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also contributed as a return specialist, accumulating 681 return yards and one return touchdown. Additionally, Thomas showed versatility by attempting passes, completing 7 of 14 attempts for 194 yards and four touchdowns.
His best statistical season came in 2021 when he caught 51 passes for 596 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had a strong 2022 campaign with 57 receptions for 642 yards and four touchdowns. In 2020, Thomas was named Third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a returner after averaging 10 yards per punt return. During his time at NC State, Thomas set multiple program records, finishing second all-time in receptions, second in receiving touchdowns, and fifth in receiving yards.
Minnesota Vikings (2023–2024)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Thomas signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2023. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 29 but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. Following the 2023 regular season, the Vikings signed Thomas to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. He was waived again during the 2024 preseason and once more rejoined the practice squad. Thomas signed another reserve/future contract with Minnesota on January 16, 2025, but was waived as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025.
Denver Broncos (2025)
On September 2, 2025, Thomas was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad. He was placed on practice squad injured reserve on October 14, 2025, and was subsequently released by the Broncos on October 18, 2025, concluding his time with the organization.
St. Louis Battlehawks (2026–Present)
On January 14, 2026, Thomas was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the United Football League draft. He was released on March 10, 2026, but re-signed with the team on April 16, 2026. This move marked his transition to the spring professional football league, providing him with an opportunity to continue his professional football career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Thomas is known for his reliability as a possession receiver with sure hands and consistent route-running ability. His experience as a return specialist adds special teams value to his skill set. His collegiate record-setting career at NC State demonstrates his durability and consistency as a pass-catcher. He brings experience from multiple NFL organizations and has shown the ability to contribute on special teams.
Notable Achievements and Records
Thomas holds significant records at NC State, ranking second all-time in program history in both receptions and receiving touchdowns. His 215 career receptions and 24 receiving touchdowns highlight his consistent production over five seasons. He earned Third-team All-ACC honors in 2020 as a return specialist and was a key contributor to the Wolfpack offense during his tenure. He was also selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 33rd round of the 2019 MLB Draft but chose to continue his football career instead.
Thayer Rockne Thomas Career Statistics
Thomas built an impressive statistical profile during his collegiate career at NC State, accumulating over 2,400 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns while also contributing as a return specialist and occasional passer.
College Statistics Summary
Over five seasons with the NC State Wolfpack from 2017 to 2022, Thomas recorded 215 receptions for 2,484 yards and 24 touchdowns. He added 681 return yards with one touchdown on special teams. His best single-season performance came in 2021 with eight touchdown receptions. His consistency was evident, posting at least 50 receptions in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Professional Career Journey
Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Thomas has demonstrated persistence and versatility across multiple organizations. His journey through the Vikings, Broncos, and now the UFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks shows his determination to continue playing professional football. His experience in both the NFL and UFL provides him with diverse exposure to different professional football systems.
Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Thomas comes from a football family, as he is the older brother of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas. This family connection to the NFL has likely influenced his development as a professional athlete and provided him with insights into what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the sport. The Thomas brothers represent a rare example of siblings both reaching the professional football ranks.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Thomas has maintained a presence on social media, connecting with fans through his verified Twitter and Instagram accounts. His journey from a walk-on at NC State to professional football demonstrates his character and work ethic. His decision to continue his baseball career in football rather than signing with the Boston Red Sox in 2019 shows his commitment to pursuing his primary athletic passion.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transitional year for Thomas in professional football. After beginning the year with the Minnesota Vikings organization, he was waived during final roster cuts in August. He subsequently joined the Denver Broncos practice squad in September, which provided him an opportunity to continue his professional career. His tenure with the Broncos was brief, as he was placed on practice squad injured reserve in October and released later that month.
Throughout the 2025 season, Thomas demonstrated the versatility and special teams value that characterized his collegiate career. His experience across multiple NFL organizations has shown his adaptability to different offensive systems and team cultures. The challenges of the 2025 season ultimately led him to the United Football League, where he was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks in January 2026.
Looking ahead, Thomas continues to pursue his professional football career with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL. His collegiate achievements, including program records at NC State, provide a strong foundation for success in spring football. His ability to contribute as both a receiver and return specialist makes him a valuable asset for any team seeking experienced depth at the position.