Penn State has produced some quality safeties over the past several years, and Braz Thomas hopes to become one of them at the college level.
Since Anthony Poindexter took over as safeties coach prior to the 2021 season, Penn State has sent Jaquan Brisker, Ji’Ayir Brown, Jaylen Reed and KJ Winston to the NFL.
It will be a while before we know whether Thomas makes it to the league. He’s a true freshman and thus won’t be eligible for the draft until after the 2027 season.
But everybody has to start somewhere, and whether it be on the practice field or in game action, Thomas will have the chance to make a first impression.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 203 pounds
Hometown: Glassboro, New Jersey
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Before Penn State: Thomas comes to PSU after a standout career at Pleasantville High School in Glasssboro, New Jersey.
Penn State offered Thomas in March 2023. He also went on official visits to West Virginia (June 6-8) and Nebraska (June 14-16). Along with those three schools, he had offers from Georgia, Maryland, Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse, Tennessee and UConn. Thomas had made several visits to Penn State, including attending both of the team’s home night games in 2023— against West Virginia to open the season and against Iowa three weeks later for the “White Out” game.
A four-star recruit, Thomas played receiver in high school but will start his college career at safety.
Where he stands: Even with Reed and Winston gone to the NFL, Penn State should still have a strong safeties room led by Zakee Wheatley and featuring Dejuan Lane, Vabou Toure and King Mack. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the best way for Thomas to prove himself to the coaching staff in Year 1 would be on the practice field.
A quote by Braz Thomas: “They started recruiting me a year-and-a-half ago and I went to their camp and I wasn’t as polished,” he said. “My agility workouts weren’t the best and they told me straight up; you are going to have to get it. Next year come get it and that was that.” — Thomas to 247Sports during his recruitment
