Xavier Thomas

Last updated

Xavier Thomas
Xavier Thomas.jpg
Thomas with the Tigers in 2019
No. 54 – Arizona Cardinals
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1999-12-20) December 20, 1999 (age 24)
Florence, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:244 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Wilson (Florence, SC)
IMG Academy
College: Clemson (2018–2023)
NFL draft: 2024  / round: 5 / pick: 138
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 10, 2024
Tackles:6
Sacks:2.5
Forced fumbles:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Xavier Thomas (born December 20, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers.

Contents

Early life

After playing for three years in Florence, South Carolina at Wilson High School, Thomas played his senior season at IMG Academy in Florida. [1]

College career

After recording forty-three tackles, three and a half sacks, and two pass breakups in his freshman season, Thomas was named to USA Today's Freshman All-America Team. [1] During the 2019 season, he earned Third Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors after posting 31 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and two sacks. Thomas contracted COVID-19 and strep throat in July 2020, and announced he would redshirt the 2020 season. [2] However, after the NCAA declared that all players could participate in the season without losing a year of eligibility, Thomas decided to play, despite missing summer workouts. [3] On October 31, 2020, Thomas was ejected for targeting Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec. He missed the first half of the following game against Notre Dame. [4]

College statistics

SeasonGamesTackles
TotalSoloAstTFLSacks
Clemson Tigers
2018 143318158.53.5
2019 122710178.01.5
2020 56424.03.5
2021 11211296.54.5
2022 34222.02.0
2023 12251694.03.0
Career 5711662543318

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+1⁄4 in
(1.89 m)		244 lb
(111 kg)		32+7⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		4.56 s1.55 s2.69 s32.5 in
(0.83 m)		10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		26 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [5] [6] [7]

2024

Thomas was selected in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. [8] He made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL Season against the Buffalo Bills as the Cardinals lost 34-28. In Week 2, Thomas recorded his first NFL tackle in a 41-10 win against the Los Angeles Rams. In Week 9 against the Chicago Bears, he recorded 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks (the first of his career) in a 29-9 win for the Cardinals. In Week 10, he recorded 1 tackle, 1 sack, and the first forced fumble of his career in a 31-6 win against the New York Jets.

Related Research Articles

Nicholas Eason is an American football coach and former defensive end who is currently the defensive tackles coach and run game coordinator at Clemson University. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Auburn Tigers, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, and Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grady Jarrett</span> American football player (born 1993)

Grady Jarrett is an American professional football defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaq Lawson</span> American football player (born 1994)

Shaquille Lawson is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers, and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. Lawson has been on the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans and was traded to the New York Jets during the 2021 season. Lawson was released by the Jets prior to their season finale and returned to the Bills the following offseason.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mackensie Alexander</span> American football player (born 1993)

Mackensie Alexander is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers. After redshirting his freshman season, he became a key role player on the Tigers' defense his second season, earning Freshman All-American honors. Entering his sophomore season, he was a key part of the Tigers' defense, which was ranked among the best in all of college football. Alexander was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Reader</span> American football player (born 1994)

David Vernon"D. J." Reader Jr. is an American professional football nose tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson. He previously played for the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dexter Lawrence</span> American football player (born 1997)

Dexter Lawrence II, nicknamed "Sexy Dexy", is an American professional football nose tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers. In 2015, he concluded his high school football career at Wake Forest High School in Wake Forest. He was ranked as the No. 2 recruit in college football's incoming Class of 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrance Smith</span> American football player (born 1993)

Terrance Smith is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Florida State. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent after the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Wilkins</span> American football player (born 1995)

Christian Wilkins is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Watkins</span> American football player (born 1993)

Carlos Watkins is an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Watkins has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Commanders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haason Reddick</span> American football player (born 1994)

Haason Samir Reddick is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also played for the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clelin Ferrell</span> American football player (born 1997)

Clelin Ferrell is an American professional football defensive end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers, winning the 2018 Ted Hendricks Award prior to being selected fourth overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2019 NFL draft. Ferrell has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, making with the team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Settle</span> American football player (born 1997)

Tim Settle is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Hernandez</span> American football player (born 1995)

William Hernandez is an American professional football guard for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UTEP Miners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Simmons</span> American football player (born 1998)

Isaiah Simmons is an American professional football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals eighth overall in the 2020 NFL draft. While at Clemson, Simmons was noted for his positional versatility as he played linebacker, defensive end, cornerback and safety.

Jonathan Raymond Greenard is an American professional football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisville and Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K'Lavon Chaisson</span> American football player (born 1999)

K'Lavon Chaisson is an American professional football linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU and was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K'Von Wallace</span> American football player (born 1997)

K'Von Wallace is an American professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Skalski</span> American football player and coach (born 1998)

James Skalski is an American football coach and former linebacker. He is currently a coach for the Oklahoma Sooners football program. He last played for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson.

Baylon Spector is an American professional football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KJ Henry</span> American football player (born 1999)

Keith Jeremiah Henry is an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Henry has also been a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.

References

  1. 1 2 "Xavier Thomas". Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site. June 29, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  2. ↑ Keepfer, Scott (August 6, 2020). "Clemson football standout Xavier Thomas planning to redshirt 2020 season". The Greenville News. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  3. ↑ Connolly, Matt (September 25, 2020). "Clemson's Xavier Thomas is ahead of schedule in his comeback from COVID-19". The State . Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  4. ↑ Gates, Riley (October 31, 2020). "WATCH: Xavier Thomas ejected, will miss first half against ND". 247 Sports. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Xavier Thomas Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  6. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Xavier Thomas College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Clemson 2024 Pro Day Results". ClemsonTigers.com. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  8. ↑ Romero, José M. (April 27, 2024). "Xavier Thomas to Cardinals in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis for 138th pick". azcentral. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.