Zachary Robert Thomas Bio
Zachary Robert Thomas is an American professional football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League. Born on May 26, 1998, in San Diego, California, Thomas has established himself as a reliable offensive lineman throughout his professional career. He attended Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, California, before playing college football at San Diego State University from 2016 to 2021. In the 2022 NFL Draft, Thomas was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round with the 186th overall pick, marking the beginning of his professional journey in the NFL.
Following his draft, Thomas has played for multiple NFL teams, including the Los Angeles Rams from 2022 to 2023, the New England Patriots and Houston Texans in 2024, and most recently the Indianapolis Colts since December 2025. His collegiate career at San Diego State was marked by significant recognition, earning First-team All-Mountain West honors in 2021 and Second-team All-Mountain West honors in 2020. These accolades highlight his development into a formidable offensive tackle during his college years, setting the foundation for his transition to professional football.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Robert Thomas was born on May 26, 1998, in San Diego, California. He grew up in the Carlsbad area of North San Diego County, where he attended Carlsbad High School. His passion for football developed during his high school years, where he played at a high level along the offensive line. Thomas worked diligently to refine his technique and physical abilities, attracting attention from college programs across the country.
After a successful high school career, Thomas chose to continue his football journey at San Diego State University, located in his home state of California. He joined the Aztecs football program and began his collegiate career in 2016. Over the next five seasons, Thomas became a cornerstone of the San Diego State offensive line, developing into one of the most respected linemen in the Mountain West Conference.
Path to American Football
Thomas arrived at San Diego State University in 2016 and immediately contributed along the offensive line for the Aztecs. His combination of size, athleticism, and football intelligence allowed him to earn significant playing time early in his college career. By his sophomore season, he had solidified his place as a starter, providing consistent protection for the quarterback and opening holes in the running game.
His continued development paid dividends in his junior and senior seasons. In 2020, Thomas earned Second-team All-Mountain West honors, recognizing his strong play as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference. He followed that achievement with an even more impressive senior season in 2021, earning First-team All-Mountain West honors. His performance during his final college season showcased his ability to dominate against quality competition and positioned him well for the professional ranks.
Following his decorated college career, Thomas entered the 2022 NFL Draft. NFL scouts took notice of his consistent production at San Diego State and his experience in a run-heavy offensive system that prepared him well for the professional level. On the final day of the draft, Thomas heard his name called when the Chicago Bears selected him in the sixth round with the 186th overall pick. The selection represented the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to his craft.
Zachary Robert Thomas Career
Chicago Bears (2022)
Thomas began his professional career with the Chicago Bears after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract shortly after being selected and reported to training camp to compete for a spot on the team’s roster. During the preseason, Thomas worked to adjust to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses while learning the Bears’ offensive schemes.
Following final roster cuts in August 2022, Thomas was waived by the Bears but was signed to their practice squad. This allowed him to continue developing within the organization while honing his skills against the team’s defensive players in practice. His time on the practice squad provided valuable learning opportunities and prepared him for his eventual elevation to an active roster.
Los Angeles Rams (2022–2023)
In November 2022, Thomas signed with the Los Angeles Rams from the Chicago Bears practice squad. This move gave him his first opportunity on an NFL active roster and a chance to contribute for a franchise with championship aspirations. Thomas joined the Rams during their Super Bowl LVI championship season and worked to earn playing time on their offensive line.
Thomas spent the entirety of the 2023 season with the Rams, appearing in games and gaining valuable regular-season experience. His time in Los Angeles allowed him to learn different offensive schemes and adapt to various coaching philosophies along the offensive line. The Rams released Thomas in November 2023 but re-signed him three days later, demonstrating the team’s appreciation for his contributions. He finished the season with the Rams and signed a reserve/future contract in January 2024.
New England Patriots (2024)
Thomas was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots in August 2024, joining a franchise with a storied history of offensive line excellence. He reported to training camp with the Patriots and competed for a spot on their offensive line rotation. The transition to a new team and defensive schemes required adjustment, but Thomas drew upon his experience from his previous NFL seasons.
Thomas was waived by the Patriots in November 2024, shortly after joining the team. His brief tenure in New England represented one of several roster moves during a transitional period in his professional career. Despite the change, Thomas remained focused on continuing his football career and earning another opportunity in the league.
Houston Texans (2024)
One day after being waived by the Patriots, Thomas was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans in November 2024. Joining a young and improving Texans team gave Thomas a fresh start and an opportunity to contribute for the remainder of the season. He immediately integrated himself into the team’s offensive line rotation and prepared for competition in a challenging division.
During the remainder of the 2024 season, Thomas appeared in six games for the Texans. His performance during this stretch demonstrated his reliability and ability to step in when needed along the offensive line. Following the season, Thomas re-signed with Houston on a one-year contract in March 2025, indicating the team’s confidence in his abilities. However, he was waived in August 2025 as part of final roster cuts before the regular season began.
Indianapolis Colts (2025–Present)
In December 2025, the Indianapolis Colts signed Thomas to their practice squad. The Colts, a franchise with a strong tradition of offensive line play, provided Thomas with another opportunity to continue his NFL career. He joined the team late in the season and worked to learn their offensive system while preparing for potential elevation to the active roster.
Thomas was released by the Colts later in December 2025, but his journey through multiple organizations demonstrates his persistence and determination to remain in the NFL. His ability to bounce back from roster moves and continue pursuing his professional goals reflects his character and dedication to the sport of football.
Driving Style and Strengths
Thomas possesses the prototypical size and length for an NFL offensive tackle at 6 feet 5 inches and 308 pounds. His background at San Diego State, where he played in a run-heavy offensive system, provided him with experience in both pass protection and run blocking. He uses his length effectively to extend and sustain blocks, while his footwork allows him to mirror speed rushers on the edge. His experience across multiple NFL organizations has given him versatility and the ability to adapt to different offensive schemes quickly.
Notable Events and Milestones
Thomas reached several milestones during his football career, beginning with his selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. His college honors at San Diego State, including First-team All-Mountain West recognition in 2021, established him as one of the top offensive linemen in conference play. Throughout his professional career, Thomas has appeared in 17 NFL games, demonstrating his ability to remain on rosters despite the competitive nature of the offensive line position.
Zachary Robert Thomas Career Statistics
Thomas has compiled modest but consistent statistics throughout his NFL career. His ability to remain on rosters and contribute when called upon reflects his value as a depth offensive lineman. Following his college career at San Diego State, where he earned conference honors, Thomas has worked to establish himself as a reliable professional player.
College Statistics
During his five seasons at San Diego State University from 2016 to 2021, Thomas established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the Mountain West Conference. His consistent performance earned him All-Mountain West honors in both his junior and senior seasons, highlighting his development into an NFL-caliber player. The Aztecs’ run-heavy offensive system provided Thomas with extensive experience in both pass protection and run blocking, preparing him well for the professional level.
NFL Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Thomas has appeared in 17 regular-season games across his time with the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and Houston Texans. He has yet to record a start at the NFL level, serving primarily as a reserve and special teams contributor. His experience in multiple defensive schemes and offensive systems has broadened his football knowledge and increased his value as a versatile depth player.
| Level | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| NFL (2022–2024) | 17 | 0 |
Zachary Robert Thomas Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Thomas’s family background and parents is not available in public sources. Like many professional athletes, Thomas maintains a private personal life away from the football field. His focus remains on his career and continuous improvement as a football player.
Personal Life
Thomas focuses his attention on football and maintaining the demanding schedule of a professional athlete. His journey through multiple NFL teams demonstrates his resilience and adaptability in a competitive industry. Thomas continues to work toward establishing himself as a consistent contributor at the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represented another chapter in Thomas’s journey through professional football. After beginning the year with the Houston Texans, where he re-signed in March, Thomas was waived during final roster cuts in August. This marked a challenging period as he worked to secure another opportunity in the league. His experience and track record of contributing when given chances kept teams interested in his services.
In December 2025, the Indianapolis Colts signed Thomas to their practice squad, providing him with another opportunity to continue his NFL career. He joined the Colts late in the season and worked within their offensive line rotation during practice. While he was released later that same month, his ability to remain on the radar of NFL teams reflects his persistence and the value he brings as experienced depth along the offensive line.
Thomas’s career trajectory demonstrates the challenges and opportunities that face reserve players in the NFL. His willingness to join new organizations and contribute in any role highlights his team-first mentality. As he continues his professional career, Thomas remains focused on earning a more permanent role on an NFL roster and making the most of every opportunity that comes his way.