Khaylan Kearse-Thomas

Khaylan Kearse-Thomas (born February 7, 1997) is an American football linebacker who plays for the Stuttgart Surge of the European League of Football. He played college football at Arizona State.

High school career
Kearse-Thomas attended Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. During his high school career with the Eagles he earned multiple honors. In addition to being named to All-League and All-CIF teams, he was also named to the All-State Second Team following his senior season. A four-star recruit, Kearse-Thomas committed to play college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2015.

College career
Kearse-Thomas played in six games as a freshman before redshirting his sophomore season. He did not miss another game in the following three years. After initially being used mainly on special teams, he also asserted himself on defense as a senior and served as the Sun Devils' starter. As a result, he recorded 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and four pass break-ups in 13 games. In 2019, the Sun Devils beat the Florida State Seminoles in the 2019 Sun Bowl, marking the first time Kearse-Thomas emerged victorious after three straight bowl losses.

Professional career
In late April 2020, the Tennessee Titans signed Kearse-Thomas as an undrafted free agent. He was released by the Titans in late August. On July 9, 2021, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) announced the signing of Kearse-Thomas. Ten days later, he was released. On January 24, 2023, he was introduced by the Stuttgart Surge of the European League of Football (ELF) for the 2023 season.