Draft:Jaylin Thomas

Jaylin Adron Thomas (born September 7, 1997), is an American football linebacker drafted number 48 in the 6th round of the 2021 XFL draft by the Seattle Sea Dragons as a Middle Linebacker. Born in Lima, Ohio, Thomas is a 3x All-MAC linebacker who played college football for Ball State University, earning second-team All-MAC honors in 2021 and third-team All-MAC honors in 2019 and 2020.

Thomas finished at Ball State University with 41 career starts and 401 career tackles ranking him 53rd in All-time tackle leader in FBS. In his redshirt junior year Thomas was a key component in Ball State Football's historical year, winning the first Bowl Game in Ball State history as well as claiming their first Mid-American Conference championship since 1996. In Thomas's final year at Ball State University, he tied first amongst all FBS linebackers in Interceptions with 4 total interceptions. He also finished with 112 tackles and 7 tackles for loss appearing and starting all 13 games with 4 games having 11+ tackles. In 2 of the 4 games with 11+ tackles he recorded an interception in each competition versus Buffalo University and Central Michigan University.

Following Thomas's collegiate career, he received an invitation to the New Orleans Saints rookie's mini camp in May 2022. That same November, he was drafted number 48 in the 6th round of the 2021 XFL draft by the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.

Early Years
Thomas was born in Lima, Ohio. He attended Lima Senior High School in Lima, Ohio, where he was a 4 year letterman in football and basketball. In football he played linebacker, running back, wide receiver for the Spartans football team. Thomas, who holds the school record for tackles in a season, finished his high school career averaging 10.8 tackles per game with 34 tackles for loss; 195 tackles and 22 tackles for loss coming from his senior year alone where he averaged 16.3 tackles per game, also recording 6 sacks. In his final season with the Spartans, Thomas was ranked 1st in Division II, 1st in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference, 2nd in Ohio High School Athletic Association, and 35th Nationally in total tackles in 2016 naming him first-team all-state honors, Division II district's defensive player of the year, player of the year on The Lima News' Dream Team, and Max Prep USA Football Player of the Week (Sep 9, 2015).

In basketball, Thomas was a 4-year letterman who finished in the 1000+ points club in career points scored. In his sophomore season, he recorded a career-high of 31 points in a conference matchup versus Toledo St. Johns Jesuit. He also played as a key part in the 2015-16 State Final team that was ranked #1 in Ohio Division I.

Regarded as a three-star recruit by 247sports, Thomas was rated as the No. 81 linebacker in Ohio. He chose Ball State University over scholarship offers from Miami(OH) and Indiana State University.

== College Career ==

2021 (R - 6th Year Senior)
Named to the All-MAC Second Team ... started all 13 games at inside linebacker ... ranked first in the MAC and tied for first nationally amongst linebackers in Interceptions ... finished the season with 112 tackles ... reached double-digit tackles in 4 games ... registered 14 total tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass disruption in a key win over Buffalo University to send the Cardinals to back to back bowl game appearances earning him MAC Player of the Week honors for his performance ... member of the football program's leadership council ... No. 7 on the team's annual "Tough Cardinals" list.

New Orleans Saints
Thomas was accepted an invite to the New Orleans Saints' rookie mini camp tryout as an undrafted free agent.

Seattle Sea Dragons
Thomas was drafted 48th in the 6th round as a middle linebacker for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.

College
All Mid-American Conference: Second team - 2021

All Mid American Conference: Third Team - 2019, 2020

2020 MAC Champion

2020 Arizona Bowl Champion

2016 Bill Meitzler Scout Team Player of the Year (Defense)

High School
1st in Division II in total tackles of 2015 (OH)

1st in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference of 2015 (OH)

2nd in Ohio High School Athletic Association of 2015 (OH)

35th Nationally in total tackles

First-team all-state honors of 2015 (OH)

Division II district's defensive player of the year of 2015 (Northwest Ohio District)

Player of the year on The Lima News' Dream Team (Lima, OH)

Max Prep USA Football Player of the Week (Sep 9, 2015)

Personal Life
Son of Carlton Thomas (father), Adrienne Thomas (mother) and Te’Queta Thomas (stepmother). Thomas has three sisters, three brothers, two stepbrothers.