Former FSU defensive back Azareye'h Thomas was one of three guys invited from the Noles. Thomas is a player many see as someone who could sneak into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
He had a strong 2024 season at FSU and a strong Senior Bowl to earn an invite to the 2025 NFL Combine. A strong performance would likely solidify him as a first-round selection. His height, hand size, arm length, and wingspan are all elite.
The one question mark was his overall speed, but Thomas decided against running the 40-yard dash or the vertical leap. The only agility drill he participated in was the broad jump, measuring 10'2", which is in the 49th percentile.
It was disappointing that he didn't run, but he can do so at FSU's Pro Day later this year. Here's how he looked in some of the drills:
Very smooth gauntlet drill for FSU CB Azareye’h Thomas to finish his day at the Combine pic.twitter.com/262R8O1b7x
— Clay Fink (@clay_fink) February 28, 2025
FSU CB Azareye’h Thomas might not have done any testing besides the broad jump, but he’s standing out in position drills.
— Clay Fink (@clay_fink) February 28, 2025
Hips are so fluid at 6’2/197
AZ hit 18 MPH on this rep (in the beanie) pic.twitter.com/QdsUwhLHte
Fastest Top Speed reached by a player in the Box Drill over the last Three Combines.
— Clay Fink (@clay_fink) February 28, 2025
1. WKU CB Upton Stout (2025): 17.52
2. USC CB Jaylin Smith (2025): 17.50
3. FSU CB Azareye’h Thomas (2025): 17.42
4. Illinois S Sydney Brown (2023): 17.14
🎥: @EraPrep pic.twitter.com/auIXsDebn0
The speed reached in some of the drills, combined with fluidity in his hips and his elite length, likely made folks forget about not running the 40.
It's not like we saw guys running away from Thomas in games, and he played against some excellent receivers in his three years at FSU. He's a guy built to play in the NFL, with elite length, the ability to change direction, and someone who can play press-man coverage.
Thomas said he models his game after former FSU defensive back Jalen Ramsey. They are nearly identical in height, but Ramsey was a bit bigger, with quite a bit more athleticism. For instance, Thomas had a broad jump of 10'2" and Ramsey's broad jump was 11'3". Ramsey also ran a 4.41 forty and had a 41.5" vertical leap. I don't see Thomas touching those stats, but he'll have another month to prepare if he plans to do those drills at FSU's Pro Day.