# Jacob Thomas (American football)
Jacob Thomas (born 2004) is an American professional football safety for the [Minnesota Vikings](https://www.edgepedia.org/minnesota-vikings) of the [National Football League](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-football-league) (NFL). He played college football for the James Madison Dukes from 2022 to 2025, beginning as a walk-on (college player without a scholarship, tries out to make team), and signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2026.[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomJa08.htm) • [2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/t/thom08632.html) He should not be confused with [Jakobe Thomas](https://www.edgepedia.org/jakobe-thomas), a safety the Vikings drafted in the third round of the same 2026 draft out of Miami (FL).[3](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/jakobe-thomas-player-bio)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2004, Ashburn, Virginia[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomJa08.htm) |
| Position, size | Safety; 6 ft 1 in, 212 lb[1](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomJa08.htm) |
| College | James Madison, 2022–2025, as a former walk-on[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/t/thom08632.html) • [4](https://www.vikings.com/news/get-to-know-safety-jacob-thomas-2026) |
| College honor | Second-team All-Sun Belt (2025)[5](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/james-madison-safety-jacob-thomas-183729854.html) |
| College production | 143 tackles, two interceptions, 28 passes defended[6](https://vikesnow.com/tools/vikings-rookie-comp-tool/) |
| NFL entry | Signed by Minnesota on May 8, 2026, as an undrafted free agent[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/t/thom08632.html) |
| Vikings number | 29[7](https://www.nfl.com/players/jacob-thomas/) |
## High school and recruitment
Thomas attended Stone Bridge High School in [Ashburn, Virginia](https://www.edgepedia.org/ashburn-virginia), where he played quarterback and led the team to back-to-back state championships in Virginia.[5](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/james-madison-safety-jacob-thomas-183729854.html) At Stone Bridge he also teamed for two seasons with wide receiver Tai Felton, who later joined him as an NFL teammate with the Vikings.[4](https://www.vikings.com/news/get-to-know-safety-jacob-thomas-2026)
Rather than accept a scholarship offer from Richmond to continue playing quarterback, he enrolled at [James Madison](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-madison) as a walk-on and switched to defensive back.[5](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/james-madison-safety-jacob-thomas-183729854.html) He later said earning a scholarship, so his parents no longer had to work as hard to help pay tuition, was the biggest reward of that transition.[4](https://www.vikings.com/news/get-to-know-safety-jacob-thomas-2026)
## College career at James Madison
Thomas played four seasons at James Madison, from 2022 through 2025.[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/t/thom08632.html) His career college production totaled 143 tackles, two interceptions, and 28 passes defended.[6](https://vikesnow.com/tools/vikings-rookie-comp-tool/)
He earned second-team all-[Sun Belt](https://www.edgepedia.org/sun-belt) honors as a senior, when James Madison posted a 12-1 record and reached the [College Football Playoff](https://www.edgepedia.org/college-football-playoff), a first for both the university and the conference.[5](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/james-madison-safety-jacob-thomas-183729854.html) He was also a nominee for the 2025 Burlsworth Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player who began his collegiate career as a walk-on.[8](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25327698-nfl-draft-2026-scouting-report-james-madison-s-jacob-thomas%26quot) During the draft process he took a pre-draft visit with the [Green Bay Packers](https://www.edgepedia.org/green-bay-packers), one of the 30 in-person visits each team may host.[5](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/james-madison-safety-jacob-thomas-183729854.html)
## Professional career
Thomas signed with the Minnesota Vikings on May 8, 2026, after going undrafted.[2](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/t/thom08632.html) He is the second James Madison player to sign with the Vikings, joining Shawn Woodson, who was drafted by Minnesota in the 12th round of the 1989 NFL Draft.[9](https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/jacob-thomas/)
**Roster breakthrough.** He recorded his first NFL interception in a preseason game against the [New York Giants](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-york-giants) at [MetLife Stadium](https://www.edgepedia.org/metlife-stadium), tossing the ball to his parents in the stands; the pick does not count toward official statistics.[4](https://www.vikings.com/news/get-to-know-safety-jacob-thomas-2026)
## References
1. [Jacob Thomas, Pro-Football-Reference.com](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomJa08.htm)
2. [Jacob Thomas, Pro Football Archives](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/t/thom08632.html)
3. [Jakobe Thomas player bio, FOX Sports](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/jakobe-thomas-player-bio)
4. [Get to Know Vikings Safety Jacob Thomas, Vikings.com](https://www.vikings.com/news/get-to-know-safety-jacob-thomas-2026)
5. [James Madison safety Jacob Thomas set for pre-draft visit with Packers, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/james-madison-safety-jacob-thomas-183729854.html)
6. [Vikings Rookie Player Comparisons, VikesNow](https://vikesnow.com/tools/vikings-rookie-comp-tool/)
7. [Jacob Thomas Stats, News and Video, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/players/jacob-thomas/)
8. [NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for James Madison S Jacob Thomas, Bleacher Report](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25327698-nfl-draft-2026-scouting-report-james-madison-s-jacob-thomas%26quot)
9. [Jacob Thomas roster profile, Vikings.com](https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/jacob-thomas/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Rugby and other football codes › American football players, coaches, and executives › Safeties › Surnames N to W*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license