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Texas native receives dream call from Jerry Jones
UB's Josh Thomas, left, is headed to the NFL as a Cowboy.
When he was 6 years old, Josh Thomas' father and grandfather handed him a No. 8 Troy Aikman jersey as a Christmas gift. It was the first of many Dallas Cowboys-related presents until one day Thomas finally asked his father about all the Cowboys gear.
"That's your team," his father said. "You're going to be drafted by them someday."
That prediction came true Saturday when the Cowboys made the former University at Buffalo cornerback a fifth-round draft pick. No need for the Cowboys to send him any more items with the big blue star. He already has plenty.
"I grew up a Cowboy fan and I don't want to be anything but a Cowboy," said Thomas, a native of Cedar Hill, Texas, who was selected with the 143rd pick overall.
Ed Ellis, who was the 125th pick by New England in 1997, is the only player in UB history who has been selected higher.
"He demonstrates why hard work and perseverance will always prevail," UB coach Jeff Quinn said. "Also, God-given talent, you need a little bit of that to get among the big boys. There's so many great players out there and to look at what he's done at Buffalo demonstrates the quality of our program."
This marks the third time in the last four years that a UB player has been selected. Thomas follows Trevor Scott (Oakland Raiders) and Jamey Richard (Indianapolis Colts), who were picked in 2008, and Niagara Falls native James Starks (Green Bay), who was picked in 2010.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Thomas grew up 30 minutes from Texas Stadium, where the Cowboys played during their glory days. Thomas and his family watched the draft unfold from his grandmother's home in Dallas, where he's been watching the draft since he was a youngster.
"I'd love to be drafted someday," he told his family each year.
That dream started to become a reality after UB's Pro Day during his junior season when he ran a strong time in the 40-yard dash. As a senior, Thomas finished with 58 tackles -- 30 solo -- two sacks and an interception. It was, however, an uneven season for Thomas -- at times, he was late getting his head around and locating the ball. His issues were technique-related, which scouts figured would be ironed out over time. No one could argue over his measurements, which is why Thomas gained so much momentum leading into the three-day draft.
He was invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Game and the NFL Scouting Combine, where he was one of five players representing the Mid-American Conference. Thomas ran a 4.46-second 40 and his vertical leap of 38.5 inches was one of the best at the combine.
"We kept telling scouts the story about when he jumped so dang high he hit his head on a light fixture and he took 15 stitches," Quinn said. "He's got some springs in his legs. Very explosive. Very competitive. All the things you look for in this great game."
Thomas was a consideration for the Buffalo Bills in the late rounds -- the Bills selected Richmond corner Justin Rogers in the seventh round -- but he was already gone.
"We liked him," Bills GM Buddy Nix said. "He just wasn't there."
Besides, Thomas wanted to play at home.
"I've been watching the Cowboys my whole life and to get a call from [team owner] Jerry Jones ... he had someone else call and then he said, 'Josh? Are you there?'" Thomas said. "I said, 'Are you there?' I was in disbelief that Jerry Jones and the Cowboys drafted me. This is a blessing. Truly, truly a blessing."
UB's Josh Thomas, left, is headed to the NFL as a Cowboy.
When he was 6 years old, Josh Thomas' father and grandfather handed him a No. 8 Troy Aikman jersey as a Christmas gift. It was the first of many Dallas Cowboys-related presents until one day Thomas finally asked his father about all the Cowboys gear.
"That's your team," his father said. "You're going to be drafted by them someday."
That prediction came true Saturday when the Cowboys made the former University at Buffalo cornerback a fifth-round draft pick. No need for the Cowboys to send him any more items with the big blue star. He already has plenty.
"I grew up a Cowboy fan and I don't want to be anything but a Cowboy," said Thomas, a native of Cedar Hill, Texas, who was selected with the 143rd pick overall.
Ed Ellis, who was the 125th pick by New England in 1997, is the only player in UB history who has been selected higher.
"He demonstrates why hard work and perseverance will always prevail," UB coach Jeff Quinn said. "Also, God-given talent, you need a little bit of that to get among the big boys. There's so many great players out there and to look at what he's done at Buffalo demonstrates the quality of our program."
This marks the third time in the last four years that a UB player has been selected. Thomas follows Trevor Scott (Oakland Raiders) and Jamey Richard (Indianapolis Colts), who were picked in 2008, and Niagara Falls native James Starks (Green Bay), who was picked in 2010.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Thomas grew up 30 minutes from Texas Stadium, where the Cowboys played during their glory days. Thomas and his family watched the draft unfold from his grandmother's home in Dallas, where he's been watching the draft since he was a youngster.
"I'd love to be drafted someday," he told his family each year.
That dream started to become a reality after UB's Pro Day during his junior season when he ran a strong time in the 40-yard dash. As a senior, Thomas finished with 58 tackles -- 30 solo -- two sacks and an interception. It was, however, an uneven season for Thomas -- at times, he was late getting his head around and locating the ball. His issues were technique-related, which scouts figured would be ironed out over time. No one could argue over his measurements, which is why Thomas gained so much momentum leading into the three-day draft.
He was invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Game and the NFL Scouting Combine, where he was one of five players representing the Mid-American Conference. Thomas ran a 4.46-second 40 and his vertical leap of 38.5 inches was one of the best at the combine.
"We kept telling scouts the story about when he jumped so dang high he hit his head on a light fixture and he took 15 stitches," Quinn said. "He's got some springs in his legs. Very explosive. Very competitive. All the things you look for in this great game."
Thomas was a consideration for the Buffalo Bills in the late rounds -- the Bills selected Richmond corner Justin Rogers in the seventh round -- but he was already gone.
"We liked him," Bills GM Buddy Nix said. "He just wasn't there."
Besides, Thomas wanted to play at home.
"I've been watching the Cowboys my whole life and to get a call from [team owner] Jerry Jones ... he had someone else call and then he said, 'Josh? Are you there?'" Thomas said. "I said, 'Are you there?' I was in disbelief that Jerry Jones and the Cowboys drafted me. This is a blessing. Truly, truly a blessing."
