BOONE, N.C. — Josh Thomas, a standout safety from App State, agreed to a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills following the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday.
App State led Sun Belt Conference programs by ending the 2019 season with eight alums on NFL rosters. Earlier this weekend, before Thomas' signing, the Tennessee Titans drafted running back
Darrynton Evans in the third round (93rd overall) and the Cincinnati Bengals used the first pick of the fourth round (107th overall) to select linebacker
Akeem Davis-Gaither.
Thomas played for App State teams that went a combined 54-12 in his five seasons and was part of just the fifth class in college football history to win five bowl games and four conference championships. As a senior, he helped lead a 13-1 team that finished with a top-20 national ranking in both FBS top 25 polls.
Thomas, who participated in the CGS College Gridiron Showcase in Texas after his App State career ended, started in 30 of his 56 games for the Mountaineers and was a team captain in each of his final two seasons. He received first-team All-Sun Belt Conference recognition from the grade-based PFF College site as a senior and second-team recognition as a junior.
Thomas posted a career-high 72 tackles as a senior to go with 2.0 tackles for loss, one fumble return for 37 yards and one interception return for a 16-yard touchdown. His regular-season coverage grade from PFF College ranked No. 2 among all Group of Five safeties.
