JACKSONVILLE – He's flourishing and blossoming.
These are the first, bright days of Brian Thomas Jr.'s NFL career – and if that sounds like something for which to be thankful, the Jaguars' rookie wide receiver would agree.
"This is what you dream of as a little kid," he said.
Thomas, the No. 23 overall selection by the Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft, has flashed special skills and potential in two NFL starts. He joined senior writer John Oehser for this Week 3 2024 O-Zone Podcast, discussing multiple topics – including the notion that he's quiet and reserved.
If that's the first impression, Thomas said it's often not the permanent impression.
"I would say I'm pretty cool once you get to know me," he said. "Some people say, 'Quiet,' but I feel like once I get to know people, I open up a lot more and I start talking a lot more."
Thomas added with a smile, "My friends might tell you I'll never be quiet."
Thomas, who led FBS with 17 touchdown receptions in 2023 while playing for Louisiana State University, has six receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown in two games. He has played a key role in all three Jaguars touchdown drives this season, setting up the team's lone touchdown in a Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns with a 66-yard reception and catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in a Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
"It's just my competitive nature," Thomas said. "I'm going out there and I'm going up against the other team. It's just that fire burning inside me, just wanting to dominate each and every play – and just going out there competing at the highest level. It just comes out."
He also set up a touchdown against the Dolphins by drawing a 40-yard interference penalty on All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who played with the Jaguars from 2016-2019. He surprised teammates after drawing the penalty by having words with the oft-talkative Ramsey.
"It was nothing crazy," Thomas said, smiling. "We're just out there competing. I was able to make a play and I just said a little something, but it wasn't crazy."
And while Thomas is proving he belongs in the NFL, he also said he absolutely is enjoying the process of doing so.
"I was talking to my mom the other day, and we were just sitting up in there like, 'I really got drafted in the first round – how crazy is that?'" Thomas said. "Being from where I'm from there's not too many people who have done that. It's still kind of wild to me.
"It's what I always have been dreaming of, being an NFL player. So, yeah, it's fun for me."
Listen to the full O-Zone Podcast with Thomas below. Click HERE to view more episodes.
