Versatile Thomas A Playmaker for Stallions’ Defense

MAY 1, 2025 - BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

By Steve Irvine

A.J. Thomas has shown the ability to make plays, no matter where he lines up on the football.

In college, the former Western Michigan standout played cornerback, safety and linebacker. He started every game in his first season with the Birmingham Stallions at safety and began his second season in the UFL at linebacker. Now, he is back to being one of the top safeties in the UFL.

Versatility is definitely an important part of what Thomas brings to the table.

“Yeah, I would definitely say that,” said the 6-foot-2, 216-pound Detroit native, who will join his Stallions teammates in looking to rebound from last week’s loss on Sunday at 3 p.m. against the San Antonio Brahmas at Protective Stadium. “I kind of pride myself on being confident in being a (versatile) type person. I feel like I’ve being doing it a long time.”

Thomas said he’s taken the approach of “same mentality with different techniques” when he’s switched positions over the years.

“I would say the linebacker to the secondary was a little bit different,” Thomas said. “At linebacker, you have somebody over the top. But, at safety, we’re the last line of defense, so your risks have to be calculated because you don’t want to give up a touchdown. That’s probably the biggest mentality challenge.”

Thomas came into this season fresh off an outstanding first year with the Stallions. He finished the season with 31 tackles in 12 games to go along with three interceptions and four pass breakups. He was named All-UFL after tying for the league lead in interceptions. Since training camp is largely held behind closed doors, it was a bit of surprise to see him listed at linebacker when the depth chart of the season opener against the D.C. Defenders was released. It wasn’t, however, a surprise to Thomas.

“I had been repping (the linebacker spot) for most of the camp,” Thomas said. “We kind of had an injury, somebody went down. I think it was more of an injury thing. I just kind of tried to be a team player. They needed me at safety (afterward), so I went back there. But I had to run linebacker for a majority of our camp.”

A similar thing happened to Thomas while he was at Western Michigan. He spent his first four seasons playing safety and cornerback and was one of the team’s best defensive players over that time. As a senior, there was a need for him to move to a linebacker spot and he had 53 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and six pass deflections. Overall, he had 221 tackles, three sacks, 16 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 16 pass breakups in 49 college games.

Thomas went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft but signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears. He was released during the final cuts in late August but quickly signed to the Bears practice roster. His first action came late in the season in a rivalry game with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. He had one tackle in 13 snaps during that game.

“It was very nerve wracking,” Thomas said. “I think that was A-Rod's last year in Green Bay. First time out there, wanting to perform, it was everything I had imagined.  That's what you dream about your whole life, might as well go out there and have fun with it.”

Thomas spent part of the next season with Bears, leaving before the midway point. Overall, during those two seasons, he played in six games and had 11 tackles.

“It was a blessing,” Thomas said. “I learned a lot from that experience. I wanted to do it any differently. I enjoyed everybody over there with the players. It's a great organization. I'm excited for them coming up.”

His first two seasons with the Stallions – 2024 and 2025 – were sandwiched around a short practice squad stint with the New England Patriots. This season, Thomas is second on the team with 28 tackles. He’s also contributed two tackles for loss, an interception and three pass breakups.

Obviously, getting back to the NFL is a goal but the 25-year-old Thomas is enjoying his time with the Stallions.

“I think it's meant a lot,” Thomas said. “I think it's given me a platform to grow (and) kind of work on areas within my game and leadership abilities that I've always needed to develop. I feel like I'm a better player from when I first (joined the UFL). I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunities, take advantage of the culture, and just continue to learn. The biggest thing for me is staying positive and driven.”