Thayer Thomas

Thayer Rockne Thomas (born May 20, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

Thayer Thomas

No. 89 – Denver Broncos
Position	Wide receiver
Roster status	Practice squad
Personal information
Born	(1998-05-20) May 20, 1998 (age 27) Wake Forest, North Carolina, U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school	Heritage (Wake Forest)
College	NC State (2017–2022)
NFL draft	2023: undrafted
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (2023–2024)* Denver Broncos (2025–present)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Third-team All-ACC (2020)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Thomas grew up in Wake Forest, North Carolina and attended Heritage High School. In his high school career, he racked in 74 receptions for 965 yards and 7 touchdowns.^[1] Thomas decided to walk on to North Carolina State.^[2]

College career

Thomas started as a walk-on for the Wolfpack redshirting the 2017 season. He earned a scholarship in 2018.^[3][4] Thomas would go on to play five years for the Wolfpack, recording 215 receptions for 2,484 yards, and 24 touchdowns. He also added 681 return yards and a return touchdown. He would also have a slight impact as a passer going 7 for 14 for 194 yards and four touchdowns.^[5] In 2020 he was named Third team All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a returner after returning 10 punts for 100 yards.^[6][7] His best season occurred during the 2021 season where he brought in 51 passes for 596 yards and 8 touchdowns.^[8] He also had a good season in 2022 in which he hauled in 57 receptions for 642 yards and 4 touchdowns.^[9]

During his time at NC State he set multiple records for the Wolfpack finishing 2nd all time in receptions, 2nd all time in receiving touchdowns, and 5th all time in receiving yards.^[10]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 0+1⁄4 in (1.84 m)	198 lb (90 kg)	30+1⁄8 in (0.77 m)	9 in (0.23 m)	4.57 s	1.63 s	2.56 s	4.03 s	6.93 s	37.0 in (0.94 m)	10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)	15 reps
All values from Pro Day[11]

Minnesota Vikings

After not being selected in the 2023 NFL draft, Thomas signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2023.^[12][13] He was waived on August 29, 2023, and signed to the practice squad the next day.^[14][15] Following the end of the 2023 regular season, the Vikings signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.^[16]

Thomas was waived by the Vikings on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.^[17][18] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 16, 2025.^[19]

On August 26, 2025, Thomas was waived by the Vikings as part of final roster cuts.^[20]

Denver Broncos

On September 2, 2025, Thomas was signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad.^[21]

Personal life

Thomas is the older brother of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas.^[22]