Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Size:

Height: 6’2” | Weight: 198 pounds

Accomplishments:

Four-star recruit

“Azareye’h Thomas is a physical press-man corner who makes opposing wideouts earn each and every yard of grass.”

Strengths: 

• Patient footwork

• Length

• Press-man

• Body control on 50-50 opportunities

Concerns:

• Long speed

• Reaction time

• Foot quickness

• Undisciplined eyes at times

Film Analysis: 

Azareye’h Thomas is a physical press-man corner who makes opposing wideouts earn each and every yard of grass. He primarily aligns as the boundary corner in the Seminoles' defense. He’s a long and physical corner who is best when asked to align nose-to-nose with opponents.

In man, Thomas thrives in press situations where he looks to consistently disrupt rhythm, releases, and timing. Footwork can be stagnant at times which allows twitchier wideouts to gain a step, but has shown the ability to maintain leverage with pass-catchers by keeping them in front. He has a quick backpedal and has shown success in a variety of coverage techniques at the line of scrimmage (press-man, press-bail, soft shoe, trail) with success. Does not have the hips or rapid foot turnover to change direction at an elite level, but Thomas’ physicality at the line of scrimmage often takes pass-catchers out of the progression as the play extends. 

In zone, Thomas’ eye discipline can waver at times because he’s looking to jump a route away from his responsibility (Notre Dame). However, he has good downhill trigger and spatial awareness to work through the opponent’s hands. Very good instincts down the field and when his body leaves the ground. Thomas’ length shows up in contested catch situations, where he has an innate ability to either bat passes to the turf, or haul them into his frame (2 career INTs). Thomas is a competitive tackler in space but he must lower his striking point. Thomas will often either contact an opponent above the waist or attempt to grab and roll at ankles in one-on-one opportunities. However, he’s not afraid of contact and those concerns are easily coachable.

Concerns remain about his long speed and reaction time against stop and option routes. While he does a nice job of disrupting timing at the line of scrimmage, Thomas does not have the elite acceleration to stay with tier-one athletes on the outside—more build-up speed than sudden. On either a straight go ball or a slant over the middle, if Thomas can’t get his hands on opponents inside the contact window, separation can be earned quickly. Transitions can also get elongated at times when asked to trigger or change direction, also. Does well to stay low in side-saddle or backpedal, but a rapid break up to full speed is not present.

Overall, teams that utilize man principles are expected to prioritize Thomas early in the process. While not the most technically elite or athletically superior corner in the class, Thomas forces wideouts to earn each target, with the length and discipline to challenge at the catch point more often than not. While his long speed is a concern against higher-level pass-catchers, Thomas’ experience operating inside of a phone booth will force even the premier NFL QBs to hit their spots when looking his way.

Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter

Written By: Ryan Fowler

Exposures: Miami (2024), SMU (2024), Notre Dame (2024)

Azareye'h Thomas NFL Draft Scouting Report