NFL rookie minicamp and the ensuing training camp is a great way for players, like Jacksonville Jaguars undrafted free agent Bryan Thomas Jr., to make a strong impression. And for the last few months, that's exactly what the former Gamecock defensive end did.
In somewhat of a surprise, Thomas made Jacksonville's 53-man roster after a strong preseason performance in the Jaguars' three games. Across the three contests, he finished with six solo stops and 3.5 sacks, as well as six quarterback pressures.
Bryan Thomas Jr. Jaguars (#57)
— Franz Scout (@FranztheScout) August 25, 2026
did it again. Non-stop energy and completely unstoppable on the field—he's easily one of the biggest preseason winners. pic.twitter.com/S9btNdPdoB
"When you have a gift of rushing the passer, man, it's something that you can't ignore," Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen said of Thomas after the Jags' 19-0 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday. "I thought the defense as a whole, obviously, with the shutout was huge, being led by Bryan, and he's making it really difficult, which is a good thing.
"It's what we're hunting up. But he has had that skill set, that's something we really appreciated about his game, and he has just continued to do it on this stage."
Thomas, who spent four seasons with the Gamecocks, first arrived in Jacksonville in May, after getting an invite with Jacksonville's rookie minicamp. He continued to grow with the team as the offseason calendar moved to training camp over the last several weeks, and his preseason performances were enough to earn him a roster spot.
He is listed as the fourth-team defensive end behind starter Josh Hines-Allen, second-teamer Wesley Williams and Danny Striggow. Him making the Jacksonville 53-man roster also likely makes his father, former longtime NFL defensive end Bryan Thomas, proud.
His dad was a former first-round pick from the 2002 NFL Draft out of UAB. He spent 11 seasons in the league, all with the New York Jets from 2002-2012.
He accounted for 445 career tackles with 33.5 sacks across his career.
"I always play with effort," Thomas' son via the Jags. "I learned that from my pops. He played in the league for a lot of years. I learned that from him, running to the ball, having a lot of effort and creating plays."
Across four seasons with South Carolina, Thomas accounted for 92 total tackles with 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Obviously since Thomas just made the roster, he'll have to do a bit more to see some playing time. But given how well he played in the preseason, I wouldn't be surprised to see if the Jags give him a few series on defense this season.
Jacksonville opens the 2026 season at home next Sunday on Sept. 13 at home against the Cleveland Browns.
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