The Florida State Seminoles have churned out an impressive repertoire of defensive prospects over the past few NFL Drafts. From Braden Fiske to Josh Sweat, there have been major NFL contributors early in their careers who emerged from Florida State. Hoping to be next in line is cornerback Azareye’h Thomas. The junior cornerback has had his draft hype increase following an impressive Senior Bowl performance. Whether or not this will translate into first round draft capital will be a major topic of discussion as the April draft approaches.
Overview, Film Analysis, And 2025 Scouting Report Of Florida State Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas
Measurables
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 198 lbs
Player Background
Azareye’h Thomas broke out as a football player for Niceville High School in Niceville, Florida. Recruited with an ‘athlete’ designation, Thomas was a two-way standout of a high school football player. So much so, he was named a four star recruit as his college search began. There were a number of options for Thomas to select from. 32 offers and five official visits demonstrate the level of demand that Thomas gathered. Among all class of 2022 recruits, Thomas was generally regarded to be within the top 100. Ultimately, it was the home state Florida State Seminoles that sealed the deal.
Thomas began to contribute to Florida State’s defense right away. He appeared in nine games as a true freshman, and ramped up in his usage from there. 2023 saw his biggest statistical year throughout his college career. 10 pass breakups and a half sack illustrate the versatility that Florida State looked to deploy him with. 2024 was where Thomas recorded his highest coverage grade of his college career according to Pro Football Focus. Coupled with an honorable mention All-ACC designation, Thomas has an impressive resume of accolades heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. How teams view his tape will go a long way for solidifying his draft capital.
Strengths
Azareye’h Thomas is a lengthy corner with press man experience. Florida State deployed him often in this capacity and for good reason. Thomas’ long arms and height make for a great advantage off the line of scrimmage. Short and intermediate routes are a challenge for Thomas, as his length gives him an advantage even against minimal separation. He has a well-timed punch on the ball in this area of the field as well.
Thomas demonstrates a high football IQ against the pass on tape as well. He is patient in man coverage, allowing receivers to waste motion on their releases as much as they would like. He is a communicative player, constantly signaling to his surrounding defensive players when passing off in zone coverage. This will go a long way in determining where Thomas’ ceiling is.
As a tackler, Thomas is willing and physical. While he is not a bruiser, he does not often get knocked back against ball carriers and can hold his own as a tackler.
Weaknesses
The biggest concern on Azareye’h Thomas’ tape is the top-end athleticism. Thomas plays with slightly stiff hips, and his top-end speed is average. Opposing receivers will look to attack his front hip and force him to flip. His patience as a man corner can also give him trouble on fast, in-breaking releases from opposing receivers.
While he is a willing tackler, Thomas does struggle to disengage from blocks. Receivers get hands on and Thomas does not have the violent, hands and punch to get them off of him. This can cause concern on perimeter runs and quick screens. When he does disengage from blockers, his tackle angle can be a bit steep. This was the cause for a couple of missed tackles on his tape.
Potential Team Fits
NFL Projection
Azareye’h Thomas will ideally land with a team that plays a high frequency of press man coverage. This will allow him to utilize his length and football IQ to become the best version of himself. While there are certainly top-end athleticism concerns, a focus on fixing them could put Thomas in elite company in the NFL. Currently, Thomas is viewed as a borderline first-round pick among consensus opinion. While he possesses appealing traits, an early second-round price tag is a bit more in line with the risks associated with him. Thomas should have an opportunity to contribute immediately to whatever team selects him. The upside of a lengthy, sticky, press man corner is a tantalizing ceiling that Thomas hopes to reach at the NFL level.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
