The gridiron runs in Central Catholic cornerback and 2025 Penn State football commit Xxavier Thomas’ family.
He’s related to College Hall of Famer and NFL Pro Bowler Keith Byars, who racked up more than 8,700 yards over a 13-year professional career.
Indianapolis selected Thomas’ older brother Rodney in the seventh round of the 2022 Draft. Despite the challenges that many late round picks face in finding a roster spot, he’s played in all 40 of the Colts’ games since that date.
Although the Thomases clearly have an advantage when it comes to natural talent, for Xxavier, those family ties also mean a valuable mental resource. Following the Vikings’ 61-7 win over Seneca Valley Friday, Oct. 18, Thomas described the benefit he receives from having his older brother—who also plays defensive back—to turn to for advice.
“It’s great. Me and him talk over the phone day and night. It’s always nice to be able to have that resource, someone I can go to, ask any questions I have and I’m gonna get an immediate answer,” Thomas said. “He’s always been a great support to me, I just love having him around.”
Eyes On Happy Valley
As he gets ready to join Penn State football next season, Thomas is practicing anything that could help him crack the lineup of a talented team currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, whether it’s the challenging technical aspects of playing cornerback or the little things coaches love like special teams play.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“Maintain my man-to-man skills, my press coverage, things like that, and also said be ready to go up there and be able to provide a lot on special teams, kick return and punt return as well,” Thomas said. “Besides that, just staying as selfless as I can, being the best teammate that I can.”
Thomas said he’s planning to make at least two more gameday visits to State College this season, when they host Ohio State Nov. 2 in a likely Top 5 matchup, and again against Washington the following weekend.
He also gave his reaction to the Penn State’s 14 point comeback win at USC last weekend, an answer that says a lot about his mindset as a player.
“I feel like whatever changes they made at halftime, they definitely worked,” Thomas said. “Not all victories are going to be pretty and like you want them to be. Sometimes you’ve gotta just keep fighting, keep grinding it out.”
